Slick 2- Blinded

by Kortez

The sequal to "Slick" is here! Kortez is back... But who is this "Slick" guy that she's seeing in her dreams? Will she live a happy life with her family? Or will she find out that her life is- and always has been- a lie? There's also a new teacher in the high school... But why is he so secretive? And why does he like Kortez so much? *Rated T just to be safe.* -DISCONTINUED-

12. Chapter 11- Crystalline Eyes

Hello, my dear Slick 2 readers. How are you? XD Anyways. Um… I like Morgan- hence that's my real name lol. Well- it's a really versatile name- if you think about it. Morgan. MORGAN. Mor-gan. Morganator. Morgie. Morgipoo. MORGANA. (That's what my friend calls me :P )

SLICK 2.

Go~

Several days have passed since Courtney changed. I mean, what happened? Yeah, I like the Goth, but seriously? I mean, COME ON! That's not Courtney. Well, that's not her TRUE personality.

And, several days have gone by since Jak gave me that letter… I don't know what to do… Also…

What is an Octaveyell? And why am I one? All that I can blame it on is puberty, I guess.

Hey! Octaveyell puberty! That's what I'll call it! It has a nice ring, doesn't it?

Yeah, I know. It's stupid.

I sat down on my bench next to the window in my room and leaned my head against it. The rain was pouring today. It was really pretty, actually. Rain is beautiful.

There's just so many things right now… So many things going on. Like, Ajax. He's apparently out to get me. And, Courtney and Lungs. Probably the red-head and the black-head crew as well. Yay. I have the best life ever.

Also, father has noticed a dramatic change in my behavior. He said that I'm zoning-out often, and I'm awkwardly silent.

Oh, of course, daddy! I'm going to be all happy and cheerful when my (stupid) brother is out to kill me! Yay! Here, let me call my (forced) boyfriend and we can throw a party! And then I'll take my (imaginary) credit-card and go buy balloons and cake and streamers and a gold medal that says: WOO-HOO! MY (BIG) BRO IS GOING TO KILL ME!

Now, am I going to act like that? No. Of course not.

And- speaking of my forced boyfriend- I'm a bag of bones now. Yeah. Why, you may ask? Because he won't let me eat. Why? Because he says that I look weird. Why? Because he's a jerk-wad. Why? Because I said so. And will he let me eat? Heck no. And what does he do if I do eat? He makes me vomit. Well, only if he's around. Which, he's around a LOT. Is that a fairytale ending?

…Far from it.

Actually, there IS no fairytale ending in my life.

…Unless Doopliss magically gets back with me and we kiss. Maybe that would be a fairytale ending. The key word is "maybe".

Suddenly- interrupting my mental conversation- the door was knocked on.

"Come in," I said, not paying attention to who it was.

"Kortez?" Skrap called, coming inside.

"Yeah?" I whispered.

"Hey, kiddo. So, I've noticed that you've been quiet lately," He answered.

"And…?"

"Is anything going on? I mean, I can tell that you're not that comfortable with your father yet. You can talk to me about anything, dearie."

I sighed, "You wouldn't understand… I don't even understand myself."

He looked at me blankly. There were a few awkward moments of silence.

"I've gone through pretty much everything that you've been through, Kortez. So yes, I would understand," Skrap nodded.

"Well… you've never been taken away from your 'adopted' parents that you love. You've never had a Father like mine, and you've probably never faced the questions that I'm facing," I muttered. I looked away from him.

"About the adopted parents, no. But, my father was much like yours. A bit stricter, but… he died. Rumor has it that he was poisoned. And about the questions, I guarantee you that I've been asked them," Skrap smiled. He smiled when he was talking about his father… Hm.

I sighed quietly again.

Skrap walked over to me.

"Squeeze my wrists," He demanded.

So, I took his wrists and squeezed them. His lips curled into a grin as I saw two green glyphs appear on his wrists.

"Now, have I answered your questions?"

"Yeah… You really have," I said. I was surprised, really. I didn't know that he… Never mind.

"As I suspected. Just… don't make the mistakes that I did," A raincloud looked like it just appeared over his head.

"What do you mean by that, Uncle Skrap?" I asked.

"It's hard to explain, Kortez."

"Please! No one can tell me anything anymore! And… I just need you to tell me why the crap this is happening!" I begged desperately.

Seriously. I was desperate.

Skrap plopped down next to me and put his arm around my shoulder.

"I'll let you in on a little secret. People have high, HIGH expectations for you, like I did when I was your age. Then, a family member of mine gave me a note… about going insane. And, I felt obligated to follow in his footsteps. So, I did what the note told for me to do, then I passed it on to Ajax- your… dead brother," He began to stroke my hair.

"Stop treating me like a child, Skrap! I saw Ajax last week! In the flesh!" I scoffed.

Skrap looked a bit uneasy.

"And you've read the letter… right?"

"Of course I have," I said.

"Dear Jades- PLEASE tell me that you haven't drunk from the crystal bottle!" He grabbed handfuls of his hair and yanked.

"No- not yet-"

"Oh, Kortez! DON'T! Please!"

"Why?"

"I have! And… it changed my life, Kortez! Dramatically! In a bad way! I'm a demon! Do you know why I have to randomly go 'to the restroom' in class?!" Skrap's eyes quickly met mine.

"Why?"
"I don't have to go to the restroom, Kortez! I have to get away from you guys so I don't suck up your souls! I'm not joking! And, do you know why I have to wear these humungous 'seeing glasses'?"

"Why?"
"Because, when I'm out in bright light, my eyes change colors. And they can bleed if they're out in bright light long enough. And… I can make people my slaves… I've actually considered making you one before…" Skrap looked a bit guilty.

"…Huh? All of this seems… not too bad. Now, I want to drink from it-"

"NO YOU DON'T! You'll go insane, Kortez! I did! I've had to go through electrical shock therapy! Three times! I can't explain to you about how horrible that was!" He gritted his teeth.

"That night that I went insane, I was stabbed by some person. Dear Jades it hurt! And… I still have the scar from it. I was never the same after that. My whole entire world was down the drain. I was ruined. Until, I 'vanished'. But they found me. So…"

I looked down at my shuffling feet.

"Anyways, my point is: if you ever, EVER do that, your life will turn into a pile of crap on the side of the road." Skrap gave me a kiss on my forehead and patted my hands.

I tried to smile. But I couldn't. I was ashamed to even consider drinking from it.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's okay, dearie. I get it. It's okay to wonder, but you should NEVER do it."

I forced a fake smile onto my lips. He got up and walked out.

Later that night~
Willow ran her hand over the tiny scar on her chest.

If only… If only she didn't meet Spark that night at the bar. Then she wouldn't have been… different. She wouldn't be a Torch.

And most of all, she wouldn't have been evil. Downright cruel. She was going to have to kill her best friend before-

Wait.

Kortez isn't her best friend.

She's a monster. She's going to kill us all. She's going to rip us apart limb from limb if we don't kill her first…

…Before her immortality sets in.

Willow pet her scar and pulled her collar of her shirt back up. If only…

Meanwhile~

I woke up very quickly. I felt something on me… But… what…?

I looked around. My window was open.

Dear Jades. Someone broke into my room.

I slowly put my feet on the ground- trying to not make a sound. I then noticed a figure sitting on my futon.

Oh no.

"Did you sleep well? I'm sorry that I woke you, I really am. It's just that…"

I felt something grab my neck.

"Aren't you thirsty, Xzalliff?" He taunted.

I was choking! Oh my Jades he was choking me!

"L-let… go…" I mumbled.

"Okay then, little sister."

It was Ajax… Oh crap…

He was holding a small crystal bottle in his hand- waving it in my face.

"Take a drink, please. For me?" His yellow eyes glowed in the dark.

I backed away as he got closer to me.

Okay… Who could save me, who could save me…? Because I'm in a rather sticky situation.

Maybe father. Hm.

"FATHER!" I screamed at the tippy-top of my lungs.

"Oh, Xzalliff- be quiet!" Ajax warned me- a hint of anger in the back of his voice. Just a hint. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. Ajax then pried my mouth open and opened the bottle.

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no…

I tried my BEST to struggle out of his grip. But I couldn't before he poured the WHOLE bottle down my throat.

"How's that, little sister?" He snarled.

I coughed. And gagged.

…I pretty much made every noise that I could make in the back of my throat that would MAYBE make me vomit this crap up.

BUT THEN, SUDDENLY, the door slammed open. And Ajax slammed me back on my bed. I heard the bottle shatter, as well.

"Ajax Athanasius Davorin Indigo!" Father screeched- enraged.

Ajax growled when father said his two middle names. Father glanced at me- but concentrated more on Ajax.

I then felt a hand come underneath my back.

"Xzalliff! Are you okay?" Zasamous asked. I could tell that he was concerned.

I heard a groan- but soon noticed that it came from me. Zasamous scooped me up and took me into the hallway.

"Okay, okay… Skrap's a doctor- he'll know what to do…" He muttered. He held me closely to his chest- petting my hair to try to keep me comfortable.

Back in my room, father grabbed Ajax by his shoulders.

"You listen, and you listen hard, son," Father rasped, "you… Stay away from her! And never, EVER, EVER come back here! Do I make myself clear?"

Ajax merely nodded.

"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"

"Yes, sir."

"Then leave, my son."

Ajax ran to the window and jumped out. Father quickly slammed it shut and went to find me.

In Skrap's room, Zasamous opened the door and turned the lights on.

With a moan, Skrap sighed, "What is it?"

"Something happened to Xzalliff," Zasamous said.

Dear Jades, I can't feel ANYTHING. I can only hear. And MAYBE talk. I dunno.

Skrap shot up, grabbing his seeing glasses. He quickly put his feet on the floor and gestured Zasamous to put me down on his chair. Skrap instantly checked my pulse.

"Her pulse is… rather fast," He murmured.

He put the back of his hand on my forehead and examined the beads of sweat on it.

"Her temperature is high- she's sweating."

Skrap tapped his fingers uneasily.

"Zas, could you please go outside for a minute? I'd like to examine her… alone."

Zasamous nodded and left the room.

"Kortez? Can you speak?" Skrap asked nervously.

I couldn't utter a single word- let alone moan anymore.

"Oh no…" He looked at the liquid that was trickling down my lips. Out of curiosity, he wiped it up with his finger and sniffed it.

"No… Oh, Kortez! NO! Ohhhhh…"

Skrap looked at me with a bit of sympathy. He was sorry for me. He wanted to take all of the pain- so I wouldn't have any.

Oh yeah, the pain was excruciating, thanks. It started from my eyeballs, all the way down to my legs.

He tightly held my hand.

"You didn't do this on your own will, did you?" Skrap sighed.

I felt a jolt of pain strike my insides. Ooooh it hurt!

"I hope that you don't have the spasms…"

Suddenly, my mouth flew open as I started to shriek. My nerves went numb. My heart started pounding. It was going to break out of its pericardium and splatter all over Skrap. And my… eyes… Which were fluttering.

Oh… I'm so dizzy… What's going on?! What…?

Skrap gripped my shoulders, as if…

I started SCREAMING bloody murder at him to stop. Dear Jades it hurt!
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!" I yelled.

Skrap took his hands off of me, as instructed.

"Oh… it's Ajax… Hi… What… WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!" I shrieked.

"Kortez, Ajax isn't here-"

And before I could scream any more, I felt a freight train crash into my thigh. How sweet. I quickly fell back to sleep…

The next day~
I slowly opened my eyes to see father, Skrap, mama, and Zasamous all around me. I gritted my teeth a bit.

"Xzalliff, honey? Are you okay, sweetie?" Mama asked- concern shining in her eyes.

I whispered, "I… I hope so."

She squeezed my hand as I looked at Skrap. He bit his bottom lip, watching out for the piercing. He took my other hand and stroked it.

"How do you feel, dearie?" He replied.

I mulled over the question for a few seconds. I really didn't know about how I felt. I just… I dunno. I have mixed emotions. So…

"I don't know," I grumbled.

He slightly nodded.

"What happened last night? And… where am I?" I looked around.

"You're in our room, honey," Mama smiled.

I looked down. Hey! I was sitting on their mattress! Which was warm. And soft. Pretty darn comfortable. Wow.

"Oh…" I muttered.

"And… well, let me just sum last night up. There was a… err… Intruder and he woke you up. You were trying to get him out of there- I think- but he… uh… knocked you out," Father tapped his fingers on his knee uneasily.

"Uh… okay then…"
He nodded. Skrap looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand.

"Ellehctileavious, you should be getting ready to go to work. I'll stay here with Kortez, since I've already called a sub in," Skrap said.

"Alright," Father sighed. He got up and gestured Zasamous to follow him. Apparently he was going to let me stay home. Okay then. I'm all good with that.

After they left the room, Skrap picked me up.

"Uhhhh... Skrap…?"

"I'm just taking you to your room, calm down," He smiled.

Meanwhile~
"I told you to find her and get her here! But OF COURSE, as USUAL, Felix and Morgan never, EVER obey!" Metal snarled.

"Metal, we couldn't catch up to her, and she-" Morgan stammered to say, looking up at his boss.

"Shut up, Morgan! You have to face it! Now retrieve her in November- and if you don't, then… You two have the scars from last time. And you'll go back into your habitat for a decade…" Metal rasped.

"A decade? But Metal! That's not fair!" Felix's eyes grew wide.

"Life isn't fair!" Metal yelled- enraged.

"Don't you think that you're… overreacting? I mean, COME ON. We'll let her settle in first. THEN we'll retrieve her. And Skrap," Morgan said.

Metal sighed- trying to get his cool back.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'm just under a lot of stress. And- as my clients- you have to stay on task. I'm your boss, for Pete's sake. Just please bring her back unharmed. And her uncle. He needs electrical shock therapy… for the millionth time," He replied.

Morgan snickered a bit. Felix shuffled his feet, thinking.

"Okay then, boss," Felix tried to grin.

Felix and Morgan turned around to exit the room- but stopped when Metal spoke in cold, harsh words.

"I'm afraid that the Puppet Man will be… accompanied in this mission... So, he's not dead," Metal growled.

Morgan's eyes fell out of his head.

"The… the… P-puppet Man?! Are you sure…?" He whispered.

"Yes. And I thought that you were the brave one, Morgan," Metal grinned.

"No… I can't do it. I can't. I'm sorry, Metal. I just can't."

"You can, and you will."

Morgan nodded and stormed out.

"What's his problem?" Metal asked.

"When he was twelve, we were out on a mission to find Puppet Man. The Puppet Man found Morgan and took him. Morgan escaped after five months. He looked all… spiffy. I asked him what happened… and he said that the Puppet Man grew wood over his skeleton and made him articulated- only so Puppet Man could move him. Puppet-like. He had strings coming out of various parts of his body- and he couldn't move. I took him to the hospital and he had to have surgery. They had to scrape the wood off of his bones. It took five days for the wood to get off. He was in recovery for months. He's okay now- but he's just traumatized. Every time he sees a puppet, he has a panic attack," Felix said.

"Still. He's a man. He can face his fears," Metal's lips rose in a bemused smirk.

A few days later~
Father patted my back.

"Now tell me what's happening again. Sorry, I wasn't listening the first time," I grinned.

"Okay then. Well, since you're an Octaveyell, there has to be a party in your honor. Every Octavius member, Octaveyell, council member, and trainer all go in one room. It's an enormous room, actually. The lights are dim, the music is loud, and there are no rules. All of the grownups usually get drunk, but… you can't. Yet. You're too young. And the party goes on from five, all the way until the sun rises the next day. You'll meet your trainers, former Octaveyells, and you'll get to know some people more. It's pretty self-explanatory when you get in there. But first, I have to show you your room and get you ready," He smiled.

"My room? I don't live here, do I?" I asked.

Father opened the door of the Octavius headquarters and walked in. The black and red marble floors were polished perfectly, the black and white striped walls were clean, as usual, and the receptionist at the front desk winked.

"Ah. A bit early, Mr. Indigo?" She smiled.

"Of course, Kira. I must get my daughter ready for the big shindig tonight," Father proclaimed.

"Good gracious! You have a beautiful daughter, Mr. Indigo! She looks just like you!" Kira exclaimed.

"Why thank you, my dear Kira."

"Aren't you Xzalliff?" Kira turned her curious gaze to me.

"Mmhmm…" I mumbled.

"Well, you're very lucky to be an Octaveyell. Mom is one. Her name is Roselle. Maybe you should talk to her sometimes. She's really nice," Kira grinned.

"Yes. Your mother is a very kind soul."

"Here are your keys," Kira replied.

"Thank you, Kira," Father nodded as he took the keys.

"I'll see you guys at the party!" Kira shouted as she threw her hand in the air to wave goodbye.

Father took me down a hallway and knocked on a door.

"Zero!" Father said loudly.

"HEY! I JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER! WAIT!" Zero yelled.

Father laughed a bit.

That's a first.

"Okay. I'm taking Xzalliff to her room to get ready!"

"OKAY!"
Father took me to the room on the right. He used one of the keys to open the door. He practically shoved me inside.

"We have to hurry, Xzalliff! Let me call Xzanis and let him pick your outfit out…"

"What? Why can't I wear this one?" I asked.

"Because it's not over-the-top! And you can only wear over-the-top things to this party!" Father snapped. He grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a few numbers.

"Xzanis? Hey, yeah, this is E. I need for you to come pick Xzalliff's outfit out. Yeah, bring her stylists. Thanks. Okay. Bye," Father said.

In a few minutes, Xzanis was in my room. He was holding some kind of outfit.

"Here. Go put this on," Xzanis demanded. He gave me the outfit and pushed me into the bathroom.

I closed and locked the door. Huh. This is a weird outfit, but okay. I first put on the fishnet tights and long-sleeved… shirt I guess. It really wasn't a shirt. Whatever.

I put on the absurdly short leather shorts on.

…Hey… where's the shirt…?

Oh dear Jades. Don't tell me that there's not a shirt.

"Oh yeah, open the door, Xzalliff. I forgot something," Xzanis announced.

I unlocked and opened the door.

"Wow. Even in that you look great," He grinned.

"Shut up, Xzanis," Father snickered.

After a few weird comments- some about my flat ches- never mind- , Xzanis was tying the strings of a dark purple and black corset.

"Okay. Now you can put the rest on."

I went back into the bathroom and shut the door.

I put the white fur cloak- that went past my knees- on. I then put on a pair of charcoal knee-high converse.

I looked in the mirror. I didn't look too bad. I opened the door.

"Bravo. You look completely stunning, Xzalliff," Xzanis smiled.

"Thanks…" I mumbled.

Father then helped me put on a spiked choker, a chain belt, and…

Wait for it!

HE PIERCED MY LIP! I've ALWAYS wanted a lip piercing! Wow!
Xzanis snapped his fingers. A group of people gestured me to a swivel chair.

"Make her look… more gorgeous than she already is. No lipstick," Xzanis nodded.

"'K boss," The leader stylist said.

After brushing my long hair and curling it on the bottom, they flipped it to the side and braided a piece of it. The hair stylist stretched the braided piece across the top of my head like a headband. He used like three bottles of hairspray! So I was choking to death.

After they did that, they TOOK MY SHADES OFF. No one, NO ONE except me does that! Urrrrgh…

The makeup stylist lined my eye with heavy purple eyeliner. She then used white- and I did say WHITE- mascara. She dusted my eyelids with silver eye shadow.

I hate this. I hate it so much. I loathe it. I despise it.

"Looks like we're done here, Xzalliff. You can meet me downstairs," Xzanis said.

Dude, he looked ridiculous. He was wearing fur. Fur. Faux fur. And gold. Also his humungous crown. The faux fur was like pants. He wore a blue belt on his chest. His hair was slicked back. He had many collars and necklaces on his neck and upper chest as well.

Anyways, father took me back into the hallway and down a staircase which led to downstairs. The steps had… red fur carpet…? Uhm… I'll just go with it.

The lights were dim. There were a few blue lights placed on the walls. The floor was a dance floor. The floor was lit up in fluorescent lights. Red, pink, yellow, purple, blue, green, you name it. There were so many people! The room was enormous!

The people looked ridiculous. I mean, ladies busting out, men with humungous hair, people that didn't even look like their correct gender… And the drinks. Alcoholic drinks. There were so many! Almost every one of them had one! Except a few.

Also, the music was vibrating in my skull. MY SKULL. I'm not kidding. It was… somewhat cool. Father led me to a bar-ish looking place. He sat down on a stool and took a post-it note from the counter.

He looked at a chalkboard and wrote down the number five. He banged his hand on the bar twice and slid his paper aside. Then a hand took it.

A few moments later, the same hand came back out. Father took the fancy champagne glass and took a heavy sip.

"Well. That's delicious," he said.

"Alcohol?" I asked.

"Mmhmm," he hummed. Father took another swig and sat the glass down.

"Are we waiting for someone or what?"

"I'm particularly waiting for Zero. But you can roam around. Just don't… uh… how can I say this?" father shrugged.

"Say what?" I replied.

"Well… Just don't let a boy… take to you their room and shut the door… for a long time. Do you know what I mean?"

My face went blood red in embarrassment. Father laughed.

"I guess that you know what I'm talking about, riiiight?"

I gulped and nodded.

"Okay then, dear," he smiled- followed by a kiss on my forehead.

I got up and went to the back of the room. I sat there with my arms crossed- looking around for something interesting. But two people caught my eyes.

Seriously. The only things that I noticed were their eyes. Blue and silver crystalline eyes. Wow.

Both of them looked at me and arrived. The blue-eyed one smiled when he looked at my outfit. He brushed a piece of his red hair back.

"Aren't you beautiful tonight," he said.

"Thanks," I replied. He ran his hand across the side of my corset.

Even though he was like seven-foot tall, he reached down to feel of me. I gulped. But, I didn't feel worried- or alarmed, at that. I was just… letting him touch me. What's wrong with me?

"Oooh… nice body," he continued. He leaned in on me and lightly kissed the back of my neck.

"Thanks."

"Do you trust me?" He asked- his ever so gorgeous eyes sparkling. I gulped- yet again. I mulled over his question and his beautiful voice. His beautiful, perfect, persuasive voice…

"Yeah, I do," I muttered. He smiled at me- then let out a small, yet calm laugh.

"Of course you do, baby," he nodded. He leaned in on me a bit more and kissed the front of my neck. I shuddered- but in the good way. In the way that gave you happy chills. He breathed on my neck, ever so gently.

"I can tell that you like me, my darling," he breathed.

I let out a puff of cold air.

"Do you like me back? Because… I'm… already in a relationship… and you're too old-" I grinned.

"No, no. This'll be our little secret, right?" he winked at me with his crystal-clear blue eyes.

"I don't know you. And I don't want to know you. I can't. I just… can't. Even though you're the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen in my whole entire life," I sighed. He frowned. His eyes shined with sadness.

"But… why? Do you not trust me?"

"Of course I do. But…" I broke free of his gentle grip and looked at the other one.

The other guy grinned. Ooooh dude he was hot. He had a black tuxedo jacket on with a graphic t-shirt underneath it. His black and blue hair was down. His dark denim jeans had holes in them. He had a long chain hanging down his pocket.

"Hey," he said. I smiled. He ran his big hand across the strings of my corset. Very gently, though.

"Hi."
"So… When are you gonna come with us, little girl? Huh?" his lips were pressed against my cheek.

"In a few minutes, I just kinda wanna hang out," I replied.

"Meet us back here in twenty," he demanded.

"'K," I muttered, and then walked off.

I scurried off into the crowd. A few boys grabbed my hair and yanked.

"Hey!" I growled.

"Omigosh it cannnnn taaaalk!"

"Drunk," I snarled. I pulled away from them and went to look for Six and Zero.

I went back to the bar to see if Zero finally showed up. Once I saw father and him talking, I sat down next to them.

"Yeah, I do think that's a bit absurd- oh, hey Xzalliff. You look… uh… Dressed," Zero smiled.

I grinned, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Where's Six?" I asked.

"I dunno. Maybe outside. She can't stand crowds like this," father shrugged.

"Okay then. Thanks."

I trotted up the stairs- down the hallway, and opened the door slowly. Wow, it's cold. When I slowly inched out there, I heard screaming. So, I quickly hid behind one of the corner and… well… eavesdropped.

"Six!" someone sang.

"No! Get away from me, you creep!" Six shrieked.

"Oh, no, no, no. You're going back to the dollhouse after this party! I can't handle you when I scrape the wood off of your joints! And you better stick by my side, young lady! I am NOT going to chase you down! And you will not escape, do you hear me? I am your master! And that is that!"

"You're not my master! I'm twenty-four! I have the right to do whatever I want! I'm a grownup! I'm not ten!" Six cried.

"Little girl, little girl…"

"No! Hey! Stop! That hurts! Ow!"

I peeked my head around the corner. Someone was drinking Six's blood! I don't know who, though!

"Be quiet, little girl… Shhh, Six… Settle down… We have a visitor…"

And the next thing that I knew was being grabbed by the back of my waist and thrown over someone's shoulder. He/She put their hand on my mouth.

"Whatever you do, do not make a sound…" they warned quietly. I looked down and noticed that the ground was moving. They were running with me.

They jumped over the crumbled brick wall and ran down the street. I looked at their face. It was the black and blue-haired guy from the party!

"We just saved your life from that bloodsucking weirdo, kid," he grumbled.

"Who was that?!"

"His name is the Puppet Man. You shouldn't worry about him," red-hair sighed.

"We could've let you die out there, 'cause he would've killed 'ya in no time. And we should've let him take you for bait, but F convinced for me to let 'ya live," black-hair muttered.

"Thanks. What are your guys' names?" I asked.

"I'm M, and the red-haired one is F," he replied.

"Is that short for… Max and Fred or something like that?"
"Max and Fred are weird names," he said.

"You're right," I grinned.

M put me down and took his tuxedo coat off.

"Here. You're freezing," M nodded.

"Oh, uh, thanks. It's cold out here, and I already have a coat. You can put yours back on-"

"Kid, I've ran when it's zero degrees outside barefoot and shirtless. I can walk out here when it's fifty degrees and I have a shirt and a pair of shoes on. Don't worry about me," he wrapped the coat on around my shoulders.

"Besides. You hardly have any pants on."

I put my arms in the cushiony sleeves.

"Thanks, M," I replied.

"No problem," he said.

F came over to me and smiled.

"I can tell in your eyes that you're tired. Do you want me to carry you?" he asked. I could tell that he really cared about me. A lot.

"Oh um… no thanks-" but before I could say anything more, F gently laid his arms around my tiny waist and lifted my body up.

"You're welcome," he breathed and kissed my cheek. F nuzzled his head against my side.

"Ow…" I whispered. Remember when Slick kicked me? Well, I'm bruised pretty badly. But… that doesn't matter.

"Oh, did I hurt you? I'm sorry, dearest," F said.

"It's okay, I promise."

M groaned and pressed his temples.

"What's wrong, M?"

"She already did it, I can sense it," M's eyes widened.

"She did?"

"Yes, yes, yes… That means that we should be on it though. Stay alarmed," M muttered.

F nodded.

"So, who's the Puppet Man?" I asked.

"A bad, bad, BAD man," F shook his head.

"Huh…"

"Yeah. We came here to warn you about something, though," M said.

"What?"

"You, kid, you should be on your toes. We're watching you. We know what you've done in the last seventy-two hours. We're on to you. And we're also on to your uncle. So you should watch out," F sighed.

"What about my uncle?"

"Electrical-shock therapy, kid. And you're gonna need it one day," M grumbled.

"Whaaat? You… You know about the bottle…?" I freaked out.

"Of course we do. We're much, much closer to you than you actually know," M nodded.

"Oh my gosh," I said, remembering, "You're those guys that chased me the other night! And you guys are going to kill me!"

"No! We're not as bad as you think!" F shouted as I ran off. I ran all the way to the school.

When I got there, I noticed that they were having a basketball game, so I went inside. I walked down through the hallway.

"Kortez?" Slick smiled.

"Oh no… Please don't be mad at me," I groaned. Slick put his arm around me.

"No, baby. I'm not mad at you," he said. He kissed me on the cheek.

"Actually, I'm pretty glad to see you here. I'm gonna enroll here later so we can be much closer. I've missed you."
I sighed quietly. I didn't want for my forced boyfriend to enroll here. It's bad enough to have a group of weirdos on my back- let alone NOW having my bossy forced boyfriend.

Slick took my hand and nuzzled his head against mine. I let go of his hand.

"Hey, Slick, I kind of need a few minutes by myself. I'm under a lot of… pressure, so…"

Slick rolled his eyes, "Okay then, baby."
I went down to the lockers and casually checked mine- trying to get my mind off of things. I heard grumbling- so I looked behind myself.

"Doopliss," I smiled.

"Oh, hey, Kortez!" he greeted. I had the constant urge to just break down in front of him and pull all of my hair out in frustration- letting all of my nervousness out while he kissed my head.

I tried to smile again. I couldn't. I was… just so sad. I wanted him back so badly. I… I was grieving! Oh my gosh.

"How are you, Kort?" he asked.

"Grieving- I mean, uh… neutral, I guess. You?" I sighed.

"Are you okay, dear- I mean… Kortez?" he gave me a sad smile.

I pressed my palms against my face.

"No. I'm really not, Doopliss. I'm so stressed. I'm going to shrivel up into a little piece of nothing and die in frustration."

Doopliss cracked a little grin.

"I know what you mean. Hey, do you wanna come and walk with me?"

I beamed- for once.

"Yeah! That'll be great," I smiled.

As we walked through the hallway, we exchanged awkward blushes- like we both were thinking the same thing. We both wanted to kiss each other. So badly.

"Doopliss, can I tell you something?" I asked.

"Of course."

"I didn't break up with you on purpose. I swear. It was him… Slick did it. He forced me to," I blurted out.

"I started to understand that a few weeks ago, dear. So… I won't call you a cheater if you wanna…"

"Secretly get back with you?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah. If you're okay with that…"

"I'm all for it."

So, we went in the convenient janitor's room and he floated up to reach my face and he put his arms around my shoulders and I leaned in on his face and kissed him. For a heck of a long time. And after we let go to get air, we continued kissing.

Oooooooooh I felt soooooooo good… Oooh… It was so, so great… And you couldn't imagine how much blush covered our faces…

When we let go, he smiled. I smiled back- and, we sat down together and held hands.

"You're soooo pretty… And… What's up with the crazy outfit? Your eyes are stunning. Completely stunning. Astonishing. Beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful. Your smile, your posture, your personality, your legs- ohhhh your legs are so, SO perfect. I love you so much, Kortez. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me," he poured his heart out.

"And you're the same. Your sheet is perfectly white, your eyes are always shiny and charming, your feet are adorable, your smile makes me squeal, your bowtie is always so clean… You're beautiful, too. And I love and adore you so," I replied- leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Hey, Doopliss?" I replied.

"Yeah?" he yawned- sleepiness filling his eyes.

"Will you always love me for ever and ever?"

"Are you pregnant?!"

"NO!" I shrieked, "But… It's kind of worse."

"Are you getting married to Slick?!"
"NO. If I did, I'd kill myself," I laughed.

He chuckled, then held both of my hands.

"Then yes. I'd love you for ever and ever," Doopliss smiled.

"Doopliss, I drink blood," I started. He gulped and stared into my eyes.

"Are you going to drink mine?"

"No. I don't even know if you have any. And… I'm turning into a demon- I think," I let out a shuddered sigh.

"What?"

Fin~

Did you LOVE IT?! DOOPLISS X KORTEZ WILL ALWAYS COME THROUGH.

I LAWV ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

Team Kortez! XD

Team Skrap! ;3

Team Felix! *u*

Team Morgan! -_-

Team Six! OnO

Team Zero! OuO

Team Doopliss! ^u^'