TtCiTtW-14

A/N: This chapter's random fact: Time isn't a constant. That and I don't own.

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"How can I possibly be your aunt?"

"The database search said that you're Uncle's wife."

"My husband is... gone, child."

"No! Uncle is here! He's fine!" His insistence is cute, and I smile softly.

"I think you've made a mistake, child."

"No, I don't think he has, Meredith." I turn, doubting my ears.

"Excuse-" I find myself looking into the eyes I'd thought I'd lost forever.

"I'm right here."

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*Chloe*

By the time I get back to Jasmine's building, I know the Order's already struck. My conclusion is confirmed, when, in the alley I had jumped into, I find the knife Jas always carried and a note.

You know who. You know where. You know how long.

Who? Alek, Jas and that girl. That, and not to bring anyone.

Where? The same place it's usually- In the abandoned warehouse where the took Paul the first time they did something like this.

I have an hour. (Wow. It's like I'm repeating and explaining it for someone, like I have an audience or something. That or I'm writing a really bad birthday invitation...)

I feel my face start to turn red and despair and tears well up. Why does everyone have to get hurt because of me, because of what- who- I am? Especially Alek and Jas. I mean, Alek's almost died for me, Jas too. I make fists, trying to channel my anger and think rationally, but my anger only rises until I slowly unclench them, breathing out. I wipe at my eyes, trying to get rid of the salty teardrops without mussing my upmake as much as I can. As I let my hands drop back down to my sides and loosely hang there, determination and fierceness start to grow, fueled by my simmering anger.

No one will die today because of me, or get hurt. Even if I have to die to make that happen.

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*Kayla*

Everyone always talks about being groggy when waking up from being knocked out. It's written that way, too. But it's more of a feeling of absolute disorientation. I can suddenly see walls I've never seen before, with no idea how I've gotten here. It's quite scary, actually. You're awake, then you blink and suddenly somewhere else.

"Alek?" No one answers as I pause for a few moments, waiting for a response. "Alek?"

"Buttercup pansies..." He's not awake. Definitely. But I must say, his accent is even stronger when he's sleeping and it's really cute... I shake my head, dispelling the thought. I could never think of Alek in any way but as a friend. Besides, he already has Chloe.

"Jasmine?"

"Chloe... One Who Is Whole... Valentina..." Her voice suddenly changes, becoming deeper and not her own. "And the child shall fall into the Oposer's hands, and shall not at birth to see her dam. But until the two youth are together again, the Chosen to the world may not tend." O-Kay... She's sprouting random prophecies... I hope no one who isn't supposed to hear that is nearby.

"One's awake, and we've another prophecy." Too late. A few seconds pass, then there are footsteps. My breath catches before my chin is roughly grabbed and yanked up, making me gasp as my eyes meet cold, stormy blue-grey orbs that freeze my core.

"What have we here?" He tilts his head, an easy smile on his face, looking at me like I was a piece of meat at the supermarket.

"It's sort of cute. Too bad she's not human..." He looks at me a bit longer, before reaching up to lightly feel my beanie. By breathing stops, and he smiles even more. "Looks like you have something under here you don't want revealed. Shall we have a look?" Panic, fear, the need to escape... He pulls off the beanie, revealing my ears.

There is obvious shock in his eyes and its written on his face. Alek's earlier statement of his thoughts on me being the only one with ears (And a tail. He didn't really know that, though.) comes bak to me. I guess he's probably right. It kills a bit of hope in my chest. I had been wishing that just maybe there would be another Mai like me, one with... extras.

The man recovers from his momentary surprise, a grin more evil than any yet crosses his hard face.

"I think we'll have a little fun, kitty."

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*Valentina*

The supermarket is crowded, probably because of the sale that's going on. Buy one medium frozen pizza, get another half off. If there's any left after I've gotten everything on my list, I'll grab a few.

I turn down the aisle for frozen delicacies. We had run out of vanilla ice cream for some reason. Probably broken heart syndrome.

I look at the selection, trying to decide what type to get. Besides the colour, what is the big difference between French Vanilla and plain Vanilla anyway? One wears a beret and talk in an accent? My common sense starts to go back through what Jasmine had told me last time I had asked.

"While both ice creams use vanilla bean to flavor the cream, the base of the ice cream is where the two differ. French vanilla ice cream has a custard base, which means egg yolks (where the yellow color comes in) are used to produce a thicker, creamier texture. Heating is also involved in a custard base. The classic vanilla ice cream has a base of cream or milk that does not need to be heated." I stare at the selection for a bit longer, trying to remember which we liked better.

"She likes French Vanilla." I don't even hear the basket's clatter on the floor.

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A/N: Wanna know more about that difference? Read more: 2010/07/20/the-difference-between-vanilla-and-french-vanilla/#ixzz29oa9AXX9

Alek: *shakes head* You're desperate, aren't you.

Chloe: When isn't she?

Jas: Oh be nice, Chloe.

Chloe: I am.

Me: Enough, enough. I'm going to sleeeep...

Alek: We sort of stole all of our pillows...

Me: Noooooooooo! *passes out*

Kayla: Review!

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Reviews to early release: 10