Okay, someone returns this chapter. No spoilers.

Chapter 20- So We Meet Again

October 2008

It's been two years. Two years since I've seen Murdoc, or Scribs, or Noodle, or Russel. I haven't gotten over Noodle yet. To make things worse, she did survive, but now she's in Hell and Murdoc's gone to get her. Noodle's 18th birthday is in ten days.

I left my flat to go for a walk. It was a usual day, street vendors trying to get you to buy things because they need the money. It wasn't very warm, but it wasn't cool either. I smoked more often these days, and today was no exception. It kept me calmer since I was very stressed out. I passed by a corner store and realised how low I was on cigarettes and snacks. I decided to stop inside to pick some up. I grabbed the food I needed then went to checkout. I stood next to a young woman wearing jeans, a fitted green t-shirt, and sunglasses. She looked like anyone who lived around here, and was checking out a pack of gum, some candy, a can of soup, and a magazine. While grabbing her items, the soup fell on the ground. She bent down to pick it up, but I got it for her, and handed it to her. "Thanks," she said.

"No problem," I responded as she walked away. I turned to check out my food and buy my cigarettes. I didn't notice she had turned back until I went to leave. I bumped into her. "Sorry miss," I said out of the blue. I looked down. The woman had taken off her sunglasses and was grinning very widely. In an instant, I recognised the woman. I'd know those eyes anywhere. Her smile grew bigger, and I hesitated, thinking that if I talked, she'd attack me, but if I left, she'd murder me.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" she asked.

"I ahh-errr..."

"Hello?" Her smile grew into a more concerned look.

"Err..."

"Do you remember me?"

"Eh...?"

"Do I need to spell it out for you? S-"

"Ehm..."

"Scuh..."

"Ssssss..."

"Scr-"

"Scr?"

"Scri-"

"SCRIBS!"

"Finally!"

"Scribs...yer...OLD! 'Ow old a' yew now?"

"Seventeen."

"Oh wow. Las' time I saw yeh yew wos a flat-chested teenaga an' now yer buddin'- I really 'ope tha' didn' offend yeh."

"No, it's fine. I'd rather have small boobs anyways. You were saying?"

"An' yer talla too! 'Ow tall?"

"Five-foot six and three-quarters. The doctor says I need to grow another quarter of an inch before I'm done growing. At least I don't need to stand on my toes anymore."

"Nope." We left the store together.

"I went through a major growth spurt last year. I was five-one when I left, and I've grown five inches since then."

"Tha'ss a lot."

We walked in silence for a bit until I remembered Noodle. "'Ey Scribs, didjyeh 'ear anyfin' about Noodle yet?"

"Not since El Manana, no."

"Well, she's alive, bu' she's in 'Ell, an' now I'm afraid. Muds went down dere to rescue 'er but I 'aven' 'eard anyfing yet."

"Damn. He's going to need some major help."

"I fink 'e'll do jus' fine by 'imself."

"Maybe you're right. He IS Murdoc after all.

"Yeah. 'Ey, do yew wanna come over t'me flat fer a while?"

"Sure. I-wait, you LIVE here?"

"Yeah. I wos doin' a law degree, but tha' didn' go well."

"Aaah. My place is just around the corner."

"Mine's like, six down from dere!"

"No way!"

"Yeah! I'ss kinda bleak d'ough, be warned."

"I don't mind."

"Okay."

We got to her flat and she went to her room on the first floor. She invited me in. I felt instantly happy by its array of warm and earth tones. Scribs put her food in a jar, then met me by the door. "Ready?" she asked.

"Yeah. Le'ss go."

When we got there Scribs begged to watch the scariest movie I owned, and we ended up having a horror movie marathon that lasted until 11:30 PM. Scribs said good-bye once the last movie was over, and said she was so happy to see me again and was sorry for leaving.

I never doubted she'd miss me.

A/N: Well, next chapter is it. Yeah. *cough* mmhm.