A/N

If you could have one pairing in this story, who would it be?

Chapter 24: To Spawn or bust

Now

I woke up suddenly, taking in the stale air. My body ached, and my mind was racing. How long had I been sleeping? I sat up abruptly, trying to remember how I got to this point. I felt a hand on my shoulder, forcing a jolt of shock through my body. Jerome smirked, laughing lightly as he pulled his arm off me. He shrugged, getting to his feet. My breath began to ease, my mind calming.

"How long..." I brushed some hair from my eyes. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Not long. An hour or so," shrugged Jerome.

"Sky?"

"He just went to take a peek upstairs."

Jerome got to his feet, stepping up toward the ladder leading to the surface. The little room wasn't much but it had that soothing sound of running water. It wasn't enough to make you have to pee or anything but it was…soothing. Jerome looked up toward the surface and I could see the glittering in his eyes. I watched him move around and all I could think of…was how could anyone think he was a beast? How could anyone not be mesmerized by him? He wasn't quite human, wasn't quite animal, but somewhere happily in between. It was something amazing.

"What? Do I got something on my face?"

I snapped out of thought. Jerome was looking quizzically at me. I blushed, turning away. How could I think like that? About Jerome of all people. People…I opened my mouth to speak but then the hatch opened and Sky came down, nearly knocking Jerome over. I got to my feet at the first sight of Sky's grin. Jerome smiled too. It was time to go.

"All clear?" smirked Jerome.

"Not a soul around," Sky assured.

"Where to?" I mumbled.

"Spawn," ordered Jerome. "Mitch will go there too. The chests will be refilling soon if they haven't already."

"Know your way to spawn?" Sky nodded.

"Yes, now that I recognize the map, I know my way around," Jerome grinned.

Jerome climbed up the ladder first, then Sky, and me last. The foggy graveyard was no less creepy. They helped me up, looking around for any of the straggling competitors still hunting for the head of the Sky Army. Silence rested upon the cemetery. We paused a moment to take in the air and look around, until finally moving along.

We were at the edge of the yard when an arrow flew by, forcing itself into a tree trunk. Sky and Jerome reacted, pulling out weapons. Jerome held an iron blade, shimmering in the sunlight. Sky held a wooden one, cracked and broken. Jerome glanced at Sky. Sky raised an eyebrow in return.

"What?" Sky snapped.

"I didn't say anything," Jerome replied.

"I'm not good at this game, okay!" howled Sky.

"I never said anything," shrugged Jerome.

"There!" I shouted.

Another arrow, this time cutting my ear as it flew through the air. I barely reacted, just kneeled. Jerome slashed his blade, cutting the third arrow before it pieces his heart. Sky looked around, stepping back. I stood up slowly. I could see him. It was a man hiding in a tree, shooting down at us like prey. I glared at him, watching him reload.

"Look out!" I shouted, ducking back down.

Jerome slashed his arrow, this time missing. The arrow cut threw his shoulder, going straight threw. Jerome yelped, cringing, and bending over in pain. Sky stepped in front of him, swinging his blade at the quick flying next arrow. His sword shattered in his hand. Jerome stood up slightly, one eye shut in pain.

"We could use a little help," whispered Jerome.

We were expecting another arrow. It never came. Instead the arrows fell from the tree, followed by the bow. We were almost expecting the man to fall as well, dead by the hands of another competitor. The man never fell. Instead he was gently set down by a shadowy figure. Sky looked around hastily, eventually just holding up his fists. The shadowy figure stepped forward, just barely in the shadows of the tree.

"Tell me you're startled, Adam. I dare you," the figure chuckled.

"Jason!" cheered Sky, running to greet the spaceman.

I didn't know Jason well. He had this suit on though that resembled a spaceman to say the least. He even wore a helmet almost always. He came of the shadows, lifting Sky in a hug. His helmet's screen was cracked, revealing a hint of a grin on his lip. Blood was dripping down the side of his face. Sky patted Jason's back, stepping back.

"Could've helped us out before Jerome got shot?" Sky hummed.

"You're lucky I got here at all," snapped Jason. I felt a rolling of the eyes was probably involved too. "Where were you three headed, even?"

"Spawn," groaned Jerome, standing up and stumbling over.

"Spawn? Seriously?" Jason mumbled.

"Mitch will be there," Sky nodded.

"With Cliff and Ashley…" I added.

"Ashley?" perked Sky, turning to me.

"Long story," I whispered.

"It better be a good one," growled Sky. He turned back to Jason. "Want to come with us?"

"Well…I'll have to check my schedule but I think I can manage it," chuckled Jason.