Okay, a direct continuation from the last chapter, hope you like it because this took ages to write.  I had to get myself in the mood and everything!  Anyway, don't read this, read the story!  ^ ~ ^

Chapter XXV: Curiosity Killed The Kat-Part II

Ash looked at the alleyway.  He was sure it was here.  How could he have lost the address? 

'This is ridiculous.  We should know the way by now.'  Sara said.  They'd parked the car nearby, but had somehow gotten lost in the back alleys. 

Costa sighed.  'What's the point guys?  Let's just go back home.'

'After coming all this way Costa?' Ash asked.  'I'm sure it's here.  Somewhere…'

'Promising news…' Costa muttered. 

They walked on in silence for a little more.  Finally they turned a corner, into a dead end. 

'Ugh.  I hate back alleys.'  Sara declared.  'This doesn't even look familiar Ash.'

Ash ran his fingers through his hair, sighing.  'It's a dead end…'

'Do you know why they call it dead ends?' 

The voice that had spoken did not belong to the group.  It was strange voice, strangely accented.  The teenagers turned, and saw three men, dressed very strangely, with tribal marks etched on their faces, wearing black and brown, and filthy looking clothing.  They were dark skinned, looked dirty and…savage.

'Huh?  What's with that get-up?' Costa asked, frowning at the strangers who had appeared so suddenly.

The three men were carrying weapons…one an axe, another a very unfriendly looking sword, and the third a pike like weapon.  Sara knew they were trouble instantly.  Firstly from the way they were dressed, so strangely, as if they weren't from this world, and secondly because no one was allowed to carry weapons like that on the streets.

They ignored the question.  The second spoke up, and his voice was hoarse.  They all had sick, twisted looks in their eyes.

'They call it dead ends, because it's where the dead are dumped after the slaughter…in ends, nowhere, unburied.'

They seemed to find this very funny, and cackled together.  Ash, Sara and Costa exchanged glances.

'Hey man, I suggest we run.  They're either pirates from the far sea or tramps that have lost it!'  Costa whispered.

'What do they want?  Where did they come from?'  Sara asked.

Ash frowned.  It was true; they'd appeared so silently and so suddenly.  It was too strange for his liking, and he spoke up.

'What do you want?'

'Heh heh heh.  Only to wipe out humankind boy.  We've been told to start with the young humans.  The ones capable of fighting…'

'Humankind?  What are you talking about?  You're humans too!'  Costa said.  He regretted it then; they seemed furious at this.

'NO!  We are the great race known as Savages!'

'Savage?  That explains the gear then.'  Sara murmured. 

'Man, you're more messed up in the head than we are.  Get out of here…' Costa said.

'Of course…after we kill you…' one of them sneered.  'The great one will be most pleased…'

'Ash…has this got to do with…you know?'  Sara asked him.  Ash shook his head.

'Either that or they're just crazy.  It doesn't matter…we have to get out of here…'

But they were trapped and the only way out was passing the three sinister looking men with the sharp bladed weapons.  The odds did not look good for the young people at all.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Rinoa sighed.  They'd been walking for a while now, in random directions, not really achieving anything.  It seemed like another storm was brewing up in the sky.

'Hey, are we lost?' Selphie asked.  'My feet hurt!'

Irvine looked back at Squall.  'Where are we going again?'

Squall gritted his teeth together.  He hated this entire 'leader' thing.  Why did they all assume he knew what he was doing all the time? 

Rinoa sensed her knight's irritation, and placed her hand on his arm.  'Maybe we should head back, what do you think?'

Squall shrugged.  Did they have anything better to do?  He'd rather be slaying a ruby dragon than wandering around aimlessly.

Quistis said 'I think the best course of action would be…'

'Someone's in trouble.'

They looked to the person who had spoken, Seifer.  Zell sneered.  So now Seifer was trying to be a saint and help those in need?

Squall opened his mouth to speak, but stopped.  Yes, he could hear it too…shouting.  It was coming from somewhere not too far off.

'Yo Squall, so what do we do?'  Zell asked.

But Rinoa answered for him.  She was moving off already, with Selphie and Irvine after her. 

'C'mon!  What are you waiting for!  Someone needs help!'  The raven-haired girl called back to others who hung behind.  They moved off, stopping occasionally to make sure they were getting closer to the source.  Eventually they found their way to a dead end-with three people dressed in black, holding weapons, menacing three young people.  Squall unsheathed his gunblade without a second thought.  It was plain who the evil ones here were.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Ash had been trying to think of ways out of the predicament, but with no luck.  Just as he was about to tell his two friends that he had no ideas, he noticed that a group of people his age had arrived on the scene, behind the three strange looking men.  There were seven of them, and they all carried weapons.  The person at the very front of the group, a young man dressed in black, held a very strange but nonetheless impressive sword.

'It's over humans…' the three snarled, advancing, oblivious to the fact that people had sneaked up behind them.  A young man stepped forward from the group, dressed in a long brown trench coat, with a cowboy like hat on his head.

'Just hold it right there uglies.  You like to fight rough?  Try us!'

The three savages looked surprised, and turned to look at the new comers.  The one who had spoken aimed a gun at them.

'They have weapons…' one said to the others.  The three looked uncertain for some reason.

'The master requested we seize those who wield magic, not weapons fool!' the other snarled back.

The boy in black stepped forward.  'Who is your master?'

'The great and mighty one is your greatest nightmare!'

'Oh please!  Let's just ground their ugly heads into the dirt Squall' A blond guy with a tattoo said.

Ash stared at the group.  They weren't dressed as strangely as the three people who had sneaked up on them, but their clothing still seemed…different to what everyone else here wore.  Plus they were all holding some seriously kick-ass looking weapons.  He hoped they could fight as good as they all looked. 

'Ash…where did those people get the weapons from?' Sara asked. 

'Yeah, it's weird…who are they?'  Costa wondered.  They watched in amazement then, as the young group took out the three in a matter of seconds.  It went so quickly that Ash, Sara and Costa just stared, awe-struck.  It was like…they were all professionals. 

A girl in yellow skipped up to them.  She smiled; Costa thought she was terribly cute, and smiled back at her.

'Hi!' the girl greeted.  'Name's Selphie!  You guys okay?'

'Uh…sure…thanks to you…' Costa said.  'You guys were so cool!  Where'd you get those weapons?'

'Uh…' The girl, Selphie, hesitated, looking back to the boy in black, who approached them.  He regarded the three, and then looked back to Selphie, signalling that she had spoken enough.

Sara stared at them.  She blurted out suddenly 'You're not from here are you?'

'Uh…Sara…' Ash began.

'No…remember we were told that those…Fated Children were coming?'

Squall's eyes widened.  Had he heard right? 

'Did you just say Fated Children?!' A beautiful raven-haired girl exclaimed, stepping up beside the boy in black.  Ash stared at her.  She was stunning; and for a strange reason, reminded him very much of Vreya. 

'Uh…heh heh…' Costa shot a glare at Sara.  For one not too convinced with all that was happening she chose a bad time to get enthusiastic. 

'Yes, I did.'  Sara nodded. 

'Well…that's who we are…well, that's what we're called…' the raven-haired girl said, smiling sheepishly. 

'Yeah, back at home…' The guy with the hat on added.

'…' The boy in black looked at the raven-haired girl in blue.  He seemed uncertain about giving away their identities.  Ash decided that since they had started the topic, he might as well confirm what was becoming more obvious by the second.

'Look…correct me if I'm wrong…but no one here carries weapons, whereas you guys do, and you're dressed kind of differently.  Where are you from?'

'…' The boy in black frowned lightly.  Ash noticed he had a scar running across the space between his eyes. 

'It's…complicated…'

'Another world?' Sara asked.

The blonde young woman spoke up.  'Squall, it's obvious they know why we're here.  Let's just tell them.'

Squall, the boy in black, sighed.  'Okay.  Yeah, we're not from here. But who are you?'

'We're…uh…you know what?  I think we shouldn't talk about this here…come with us…' Ash said  

Squall looked unsure.  'How do we know you're not the enemy?'

Sara laughed.  'I'm Sara, this is Ash, and that's Costa.  You don't have much to worry about…'

'Yeah, you could easily kick our asses all over town!'  Costa agreed, grinning.

Selphie smirked.  'You bet we can!'

'Where are we going?' Squall asked.

'Back to our base.  There are some people who'd like to meet you.'

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Zane finally pulled up, and stopped directly in front of the mess that he supposed had been Cody's Restaurant.  It was quite shocking.  The place was…totally destroyed.  Vreya stared a moment, unable to move.  She feared the worst, but told herself that it was possible that her cousin could have made it out okay.  Swallowing, and with her heart racing in her chest, she got off the bike, staring in horror at the ruins of what had been a busy, popular, lively restaurant.  What had done this?  What could have made such a mess?

Slowly, she moved forward.  Dust and smoke still filled the air, and it was obvious that whatever had done this had only finished a short-while ago.  The police would be here soon, no doubt.  It was raining lightly, and the sky was a dark, ominous grey. 

Zane looked up to the sky.  He hoped it wasn't going to go crazy like a few days back.  Turning his attention back to the girl, he supposed he'd have to follow her.  Great, he was no baby sitter.  It was just his luck that he was the one who was ordered to bring Vreya here.  Sighing to himself, he got off the bike also, and moved after her, looking around warily.

Vreya pushed an ashen piece of card out her way, coughing as dust and debris flew up to meet her.  There were still some glowing remains of fire.  The feeling of dread increased violently.  Who could survive such a savage attack?

Zane followed Vreya as she moved further into the scene of the crime.  This didn't look good.  He doubted the girl's cousin would have been able to survive this.  Everything was burnt and torn to pieces.  How did they even know what had done this had gone?  What if it was still here, lurking in the shadows? 

That's what I've got the gun for.  He told himself.  He hoped Vreya would be quick so they could leave.  It made him uncomfortable, seeing all this.  It brought it all home really, that they were up against something big.

Vreya stopped, feeling helpless.  Where was she supposed to find Kat?  What if she couldn't?  The tears were welling in her eyes and spilling before she could stop them.  This was…terrible.  Who would do such a thing?  Why?  It was like…someone had thrown a mini bomb over the place.  The building wasn't even there anymore.  It was just a huge mess.  She glanced behind her to see that Zane was following.  Looking in front of her again, she took a deep breath and walked round a crumbled pile of bricks that must have once been a wall.  Her eyes rested on an arm, and she gasped, rushing forward.  A person lay, with the restaurant uniform on.  It wasn't Katrina, but a young man.  His face was smeared with blood, and bruises to his arms and neck.  One of the arms flesh was ripped off, exposing now drying blood, looking like it had been savagely mauled by something.  Vreya felt sick.  She stood up, feeling dizzy and horrified.  What if…what if Kat had suffered the same fate? 

This isn't happening…it has to be a nightmare…She thought to herself.

She backed away, feeling truly appalled, straight back into someone.

'Watch it.'  Zane's voice came to her.  She looked at him; saw how his eyes moved from her to the corpse.  He somehow managed to maintain the same blank expression, though his eyes did move away quickly.

Maybe it was better if she turned back now.  Did she really want to know the truth?  Could she take it?  Somewhere deep inside of her, Vreya still had hope that Katrina had managed to escape.  Maybe she had missed work today.  But that was ridiculous-she'd called her earlier in the day from work.  Maybe she'd left early?  That was possible.

But her hopes were crushed as she rounded another corner, and her eyes instantly rested on a small figure, lying in a foetal position, as if cradling herself.  The familiar green bow she used to tie her hair back for work…the bracelet on the gravely injured arm…

Vreya's heart skipped a beat.  A feeling of horror and sickness washed over her.

'No!' Vreya cried, as she ran to the figure, falling down on her knees beside it.  Her hand flew to her mouth, as she took a look at her cousin's face; dirt and scratches all over the once smooth and healthy skin, the pretty features marred by blood and gashes.  Blood soaked through the top of the uniform, still not dry, marking a serious and deep injury to her chest.  One of her legs looked broken, and parts of her clothing were shredded. 

It was the most terrible thing Vreya had ever seen.  She felt a painful stab in her heart, and then all the emotions broke through at once.  Crying her cousin's name, she shook her, and with a trembling hand tried to locate a pulse, praying that a faint one would still be going. 

'Kat?!  Kat!  Kat…no…please…oh God…'

Zane watched as Vreya lifted her cousin's limp and lifeless body in her arms, cradling her, sobbing violently.  His eyes lowered, but he said nothing to comfort her.  What could he say?  This was the precise reason he distanced himself from others.  He knew all too well what the pain felt like.  How much it hurt and tore at the heart and mind.  He'd experienced it too many times.  He didn't want to go through it again.  The pitiful sight that was in front of his very eyes reinforced his belief that alone was best.

Fury, rage, horror, nausea, sorrow, pain…it all filled her at once, as she sobbed into her cousin's cold shoulder.  The rain began to fall more heavily, and Vreya cursed and wished and hoped that it was just a terrible dream.  But each time she opened her eyes her cousin's bloody face was there, in front of her, and nothing changed.  It was all her fault.  She should have warned her…

'Kat…please don't leave me…' Vreya sobbed, trembling with emotion.  She'd lost the closest thing she'd ever had to a sister, the one person who meant more to her than anyone else besides her parents.  Cruelly taken away by death, at only seventeen.  Who did she have left now?  Who could she confide in and turn to?  Vreya's grief was intense and her fury even more frightening.  She'd kill whoever did this.  Whoever was responsible, she'd tear them to pieces with her own hands.

Zane's eyes were fixed to the floor, when Vreya's voice addressed him. 

'H…how could anyone do this…?  W…why…?  How, why?' her voice was lost and small, and Zane knew exactly what the confusion felt like. 

She looked up then, eyes wide, and full of tears. 

'S…so…you were right…'

Zane gave her a look.  'What?'

'Y…I hope you're happy!  You…you said getting her into this was bad…and now she's dead…'

Zane glared at her.  'Don't you dare blame me.  It's not my fault or my business!'

'…' How could he be so cold?  Didn't he have even an ounce of pity inside of him? 

'Y…if you hadn't taken so long to agree we could have gotten here sooner!'

Zane rolled his eyes.  'Oh right.  I doubt that Vreya.  What would you have done?  Kicked the monster's ass with your little projectile weapon?  This isn't your, or my fault, and there's nothing anyone could have done to stop it.'

His words were the harsh words of reality and cut through her like a knife.  She felt furious that he was so unfeeling and calm in situations where death caused havoc to others, but he was right, as much as she hated to admit it.  He was a jerk, but he spoke sense and deep inside of her she knew there was nothing she could have done to get here in time.

'The only thing you can do for her now is improve so that when the time comes you can payback whatever did this.'  Zane said flatly.  He was not aware that his words were actually comforting, in an indirect way. 

Vreya's eyes fell to the silver chain her cousin wore around her neck.  It had in it a small silver ring, which Vreya herself had brought for Katrina when they were young children.  Ever since she'd given it, Katrina had worn it on her finger, and when it had grown out, she'd worn it around her neck.  Vreya reached out and gently unclasped the necklace, and then fastened it round her own neck, gripping onto the small circlet tightly.  Lowering her lips she placed a kiss on Katrina's cold forehead, crying once again.

Zane looked away, sighing inwardly.  It was then that he heard it.  It was such a slight and insignificant sound at first he thought he was just imagining it or it was from the rain, which was falling quite heavily, but now it was impossible to ignore.  On an impulse his eyes lowered to look at the pendent he wore.  The eye of the griffin-like head was glowing intensely.  Zane's eyes narrowed.  Glowing…that meant…

He looked to Vreya.  She was still bent over her cousin's body, and it was obvious she hadn't heard it.  He turned his head, trying to locate the direction of the sound.  He frowned; it was difficult with the thunder that was erupting in the sky, and the splattering of raindrops on the ground.   It sounded like scurrying except it was obviously no rat that was crawling around.  Zane moved slowly, quietly, back a few paces, peering round the corner.  It took a moment for him to make out what he was seeing.  His eyes widened as he saw the shadowy figure not too far away.  It was large and bulky, and it didn't look human.  It was an animal of some sort…one Zane had never seen before, and the scurrying sound was the creature's claws scraping on the ground. 

Crap…what the hell is that thing…?  He thought, rather alarmed.  He realised then that it was clawing away at something…a body, and a split second later he realised that it was the thing responsible for this.  He barely managed to hide in time as the creature sniffed and turned red eyes his way.  He heard voices then.

'They're all dead here…the master will be pleased.'  One said in nasal tones.

'There weren't any magic wielders were there fool?  You know the great one wants them alive.'  Another, deeper one growled.

They sounded like animals…Zane looked to Vreya, who was looking at him, eyes wide.  She had heard it too then.

'Let's go.  I've fed on enough man-flesh for a day.'  Nasal one said.

'Wait…the Iguion senses something…' The other replied.

Iguion?  What the hell is that?  Zane wondered, getting the gun out of his pocket.

Vreya could hear the conversation, and listened, with a pounding heart.  These were the people responsible for this?  Who were the 'master' and 'great one'?

'…Stop…' The voice lowered 'There's someone here…more humans, and they're alive…'

Damn…Zane looked to Vreya, and motioned for her to be still.  Slowly he peered round the corner.  The animal creature had gone.  Zane frowned, confused.  Where did it go?  He hadn't heard it move.

Vreya stayed deadly still, clasping Katrina's hand in her own tightly.  As Zane moved round the corner, she heard a noise behind her, and then her eyes widened as she heard a snort of breath.  Slowly she turned her head around, dreading what she would see.  It didn't sound like a dog...her heart leapt violently as her eyes met with glowing red ones.  She was so surprised by what she saw that for a second she just froze.  A creature, like…a huge lizard…green, scaly skin, savage looking yellow claws stained with blood, a snake-like tongue flicking over its dry lips.  Its tail, huge and powerful looking, swung behind it, eagerly.  It looked hungry.  It was right behind her. 

Behind the unearthly looking creature were two…Vreya couldn't think what they were.  Human, animal, she couldn't tell.  They looked so savage and wild, and carried spears.  They didn't look friendly at all, and she guessed the lizard-dragon was their pet.  It looked so crazy and unreal, like something out of a fantasy movie, she almost laughed hysterically.  Almost.  Instead she was close to tears, and so afraid that she couldn't call to Zane.

One of the…savage looking humans sneered at her. 

'Here's a pretty little wench.  Feeling left out are we?  Let's make you one of the crowd!'

'Better still, let's make you part of it.' A voice said dangerously.  Zane had crept up behind them, holding the gun up.

The savage looking humans cackled.

'What are you going to do with that boy?  What can you do against us?  Against the might of the great one and his great army?' The one with the deep voice taunted.

'We'll use this spear to pierce your little mortal hearts!' The nasal voiced one said.

Zane didn't look the slightest bit phased by this.  Vreya had never felt so confused, shocked, or terrified in her life.  She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

'Oh God…' she whispered.  If they could make it to the bike they'd be able to get out of here.  She felt too drained emotionally to express fear.  She was still in a state of shock.  Everything was moving so fast, happening so fast.

'I'll tell you what.  You horror-movie rejects can take those spears and shove it up your great one's ass.'  Zane said icily.  'But before that, I'm gonna kick your asses back to whatever ditch you crawled out of…you and your little pet.'

The two men stared at Zane as if he were insane.  Vreya stared at him in the same way.  She looked to the savage-humans and saw that they were firstly surprised that he wasn't shouting for help, and secondly furious at his insolence. 

'Foolish human scum!  I'll cut out your insolent tongue!'

'Upstart!  You won't be so sure of yourself when our lizard rips out your heart!'

'I'm scared!' Zane mocked, then narrowed his eyes.  Without warning he fired…directly at the savage-looking person closest to him.  As he did so his eyes darted to Vreya.  He didn't need to speak anything.  It was obvious he was stalling so that she could get up and away.  Their attention had turned to Zane, and shakily Vreya backed away.  She didn't want to leave her cousin like this, but if she stayed any longer she'd be joining Katrina sooner than she liked. 

The unfortunate man that Zane had fired at hissed in fury, clutching his shoulder.  Zane didn't hesitate, and turned and bolted off, round the corner, calling back to Vreya over his shoulder.

'RUN!'

Vreya's limbs finally kicked into motion.  She scrambled up and turned away, running in the opposite direction, as fast as she could. 

'After them you fools!' The deep voiced one cried.  Vreya's legs almost turned to jelly as she heard the creature's roar behind her.

Don't look back…whatever you do, do not look back!  She told her self again and again.  The ground shook as the dragon like monster gave chase.  The two with spears were shouting out, also giving chase.  Vreya rounded the corner just as Zane appeared from the other side.  He stopped, and called to her.

'C'mon!'

Vreya did what she had told herself not to.  She looked back.  Just in time to see that one of the strangely dressed men direct something at her…it was like a cloud of energy, a purple-black in colour.  Insanely she knew what it was.  Magic.  It looked almost normal in the circumstances she was in. 

What am I doing?  Waiting for it to hit me?!  She thought, and Zane yelled at her angrily.

'Vreya!'

She snapped out of it and ran again, in his direction.  As she reached him he glared at her.

'What the hell are you doing?  We have to get to the bike…'

The three were gaining.  Vreya looked back to Zane, wide-eyed.  'We…let's split up!  I'll go round the right; you go down the left-the two paths meet round the other side.  We can lose them that way…'

Zane stared at her.  That was…leaving her alone?  She wasn't all that well trained in fighting yet…was it a good idea?  Then again it just might work.  It was their best bet for losing them.  He shoved the gun into her hands.  He was capable of fighting by other means.  She needed a weapon more than he did.

'Fine.  Take it…'

Vreya had never held a gun in her life and it felt terrifying to do so.  She swallowed.  Zane peered round the corner. 

'There they are!  Get them!'

Zane cursed, and then looked to Vreya.  'I'll distract them.'

Vreya stared.  Was he crazy?  Didn't he notice that they could do magic, and they had an oversized lizard as their pet?  It was too dangerous.  'What?!  But you…'

'Just go!' he snapped and Vreya hesitated again, before running down the right path.  Zane made sure she made it alright, before stepping out from round the corner.

'Hey!  Tired already?  I'm just getting warmed up!' he taunted.  The deep-voiced one snarled to his comrade,

'YOU go after the girl.  I'll take this miserable youth down.'  His comrade nodded, and took off in the direction the girl had gone in.  The deep-voiced savage narrowed his eyes and motioned for the huge lizard to follow, as he ran after the boy.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Vreya tore down the side streets, running faster than she thought she ever could.  She weaved in and out of alleyway after alleyway, knowing that at least one of them was chasing her, trying to lose them, without losing herself.  She knew this part of town pretty well; she just hoped she would get to the other side and find that Zane had made it also.  A fine mess she'd gotten them both into.  He was probably going to kill her when they got back, if she survived this.

Her chest was beginning to hurt from the fast, sharp intake of air and her legs likewise, from sudden strenuous activity.  She stumbled over a pile of waste bins, glancing behind her wildly.  Things had happened so quickly, she hadn't had time to get a grip on her emotions.  She didn't realise how bad a state she was in.  The shock was still very much there, but suppressed for the moment by a more powerful instinct, survival; adrenaline raged through her veins, pushing her on, forcing her to stay alert.

She heard cursing from behind her.  It was so outraged and evil, it filled Vreya with even more fear, making her run even faster.  The voice just got closer and closer…that was crazy…how could he catch her up, she'd had a head start, and the two strange men hadn't looked particularly active.

'I'm going to slit your throat she-human!' It was the nasal voiced one, screaming at her.  Vreya stopped, heart leaping violently, as she found herself staring at a wall.  It was quite high, and if she didn't get over, she was dead.  There was no time to turn back and find another path. 

Gasping for air, she took a few steps back and ran forward.  She leapt and kicked onto the sidewall, which gave her just enough momentum to grab onto the top of the wall.  She didn't even have time to marvel over how she had managed to do this.  She heard her pursuer arrive just as she scrambled over to the other side, scraping her elbow badly in the process.  She cried out from the pain, but stumbled up again, and ran on.  She was almost there, to the point where the left and right paths met.  Clutching the gun tightly in her hand she raced on, praying she would make it.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Zane ran, feet pounding on the floor.  Looking back would be stupid; he focused his attention on what was in front of him.  He leapt over a small fence, and raced round a corner.  He could hear the heavy thumping of the lizard creature that was chasing him.  Good, it was following him and not Vreya. 

'Give it up boy!  You cannot run forever, whereas we can caste haste over and over and never tire!' The deep-voiced one yelled after him.

Caste haste…that was probably what was making him move faster than he should be.  So magic was real?  He couldn't really consider all this now.  The objective was to get out of here and back to base alive.  In the distance Zane heard the sirens of police vehicles.  What could the police, the army, anything do against monsters like that?  What could they do?  Did they really stand a chance?

Finally he could see the corner, which would lead to where the two paths would meet, and back to where the bike was situated.  Zane and Vreya had just led them round in a circle, whether they realised was another matter.  He reached the corner and turned, hoping Vreya was there.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Vreya turned the corner.  She had slowed; she could hardly run anymore, she felt exhausted, drained. 

'Vreya!'

She looked up.  Zane had arrived, and was motioning for her to run to the bike.  She managed to pick up speed again, enough to reach the bike relatively quickly.  Zane had already mounted, and started the engine.  Vreya took her place behind him; it as a relief to sit down, but they hadn't escaped yet.  The three pursuers arrived, and the two that could talk yelled at their dragon-like pet.

'Get them!  Don't let them escape!'

Zane swerved the bike, and without a second's hesitation, took off, speeding down the uneven and bumpy road.  Vreya clung onto him, crying silently, trying to catch up on air. 

Zane's eyes darted to the side-mirror.  Damn!  The overgrown lizard was faster than it looked.  In their haste they had dropped the safety helmets, Zane hoped that no police would stop them; that would just be a way to slow them down.  His eyes went back to the mirror, and widened as he realised it was opening its mouth.  Raging red fire escaped, and Zane swore, barely managing to take a turn to avoid the flames.  The lizard was almost as fast as Zane was going.  There was only one way they could hope to shake it off. 

'Vreya!  Shoot it!'

Was he crazy?  Vreya didn't feel like she could shoot anything; she was hardly in the right state of mind and her entire body hurt. 

'Do it!' Zane shouted above the roaring of the engine and the raging of the wind.  It was raining now, and getting pretty dark.

'I…I can't…'

Zane understood that she was probably in a bad state, but it was the only way they could hope to make it out okay.  He would have done it himself, but Vreya couldn't drive.  She had a better chance of hitting the lizard with a bullet.

'Do it dammit!  It killed your cousin!  Shoot it!'

Vreya's eyes widened at his words…yes, it had killed Kat…and now it was trying to kill her.  The grief she felt mixed with pure anger, and she managed to twist round, so that she was sitting with her back against Zane's and facing towards the lizard.

It killed Kat…it took her away from me!  I'll make it go to hell!  She took aim, trying to keep her hand as steady as possible.  As the creature opened its great big mouth to release another breath of fire, Vreya pulled the trigger.  A growl of pain pierced the air, informing her she had hit the target.  She fired again, again, again and again, bullet after bullet, hitting the creature each time.  It finally slowed, too injured to continue, as Vreya fired the last shot, for good measure.  Then she managed to twist back round, and her arm grew limp, dropping the gun to the floor.  Zane made no complaints, as he turned into the main road.  They were going to make it.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

'So you've been here for almost a week now?' Fleck asked, looking at the newcomers.  They nodded, and he laughed. 

'Oh man.  You don't know how glad we are to see you here.'

'Yeah, why didn't you come to us sooner?' Locky asked. 

'Well actually, I think we did run into one of you…' Zell said.  He looked around.  'She doesn't seem to be here though.'

'Well, what did she look like?' Rica asked.

'Oh, I'll tell you…' Irvine grinned.  'A really hot brunette.'

Selphie elbowed him.  'Irvy!'

'C'mon Seffie, she was cute…'

'Hot brunette?  Uh, that wouldn't happen to be Vreya would it?' Tai enquired.

'She never mentioned this to me.' Jez said, less than impressed.

'Where is she?' Ash asked.  They had only arrived a short while back, and hadn't been filled in yet.

'There's been an accident at Cody's…' Lila began.

'Is Katrina alright?' Sara questioned.

'That's what Vreya went to find out.' Roxy said.

'Alone?' Costa asked, surprised.

'No.  Zane took her.' Fleck chipped in.

Costa sneered.  'How'd you persuade him to do that?'

Ash was frowning.  'Why didn't she wait for me to get here?  I could have taken her.'

'I told her to go by bike.  It's faster.' Fleck replied.

'They've been gone a while…' Lila said, looking at the clock.  'I'm getting worried…'

Bo held up his hand, listening.  'Hey…wait…that sounds like a motorbike…'

'I hope Kat's okay…' Lila said.

'Who's Kat?' Rinoa asked.

'Vreya's cousin…' Gen replied, and they moved to greet Vreya.

--------------- ◊ ---------------

Zane pulled up in the small drive at the back of the building they used as a training ground, and finally felt safe enough to switch off the engine.  For a moment neither of them moved.  Zane had never felt so relieved in his life.  That had been too close…and now he could think about all the crazy things he'd seen.  The back door opened and a whole crowd of people stood there. 

Vreya was still, head lowered.  Her emotions were finally taking their toll, and she was crying silently, oblivious to the fact that it was raining, and that she was getting really wet. 

Zane let out his breath, as Fleck greeted him.

'You took your sweet time!  You…whoa, you look a mess…what the hell happened?'

Zane glared at him.  It was his entire fault really.  He'd nearly died back there, thanks to Fleck's stupid order.  Slowly he got off the bike, glancing at Vreya as he did so.  The girl's eyes were closed, and she was trembling.  He guessed he couldn't really complain.  Compared to her, he'd had a stroll in the park.  He finally turned away as her friends called out to her.  Zane noticed that there were some unfamiliar faces, all staring at him as he approached.

'Hey…what happened?' Fleck asked, frowning.  Zane simply gave him a look, before being stopped by Costa.  They'd seen that Vreya was in bad shape, and were angry about it.

Costa grabbed a hold of Zane's shoulder.  'Hold it pal.'

Zane's eyes lowered.  He'd had enough for one day damn it! 

'What did you do to her?'

Costa almost regretted grabbing hold of Zane.  The boy's eyes rose, and in the deep green depths Costa saw an open anger.  Pure rage glittered within, blazing like a flame, almost out of control.  His grip loosened.  He'd never seen Zane so angry.

'Get you hands off me.' Zane said, in a deadly voice, completely cold, completely threatening. 

Costa swallowed.  Damn…he removed his hand, furious.  But it was plain that Zane was even more in a 'don't mess with me mood' than usual.

'Do that again…and you're dead.'  Zane hissed at him, then stepped around him, totally ignoring the surprised eyes of the strangers.  He entered the door and disappeared a moment later.

'Whoa.  Who was that!'  Zell exclaimed. 

Rinoa was frowning.  Squall noticed this.

'Rinoa?'

'I've seen that guy Squall.  He was in one of my dreams…'

Squall thought a moment, and was about to reply when a cry filled the air.  They looked to the girl on the motorbike, the girl they had seen a few days back, the brunette. 

'Vreya…' Lila said in dismay 'there was nothing you could have done…'

Quistis looked away sadly.  'I guess Kat didn't make it.'

Selphie looked upset.  'Poor girl…'

'No!' Vreya sobbed, 'No, why is this happening to me?!'

Rinoa's eyes fixed on the girl.  There was something about her…apart from the fact she looked vaguely familiar…there was something…something Rinoa almost sensed…

'Vreya…' Sara tried to calm the girl down.

Rica shook her head.  'This is terrible.  It could take ages for her to recover from this.  Something else has happened.  It wasn't just that she found her cousin dead.  Look, she's injured too.'

Fleck walked towards Vreya.  She had gotten off the bike and was unsteadily walking in no particular direction at all.  It was obvious she was in a severe state of shock. 

Roxy tried to reach out to the girl, but Vreya slapped her hands back. 

'No!  Don't touch me!  D…don't come near me!'

'Vreya…we're your friends…!' Sara exclaimed in disbelief.  'Please calm down…'

'S…she can't be gone.  This isn't happening…why is this happening…?'

'She's out of control…we need to calm her down…' Harris suggested. 

'Yeah…go get the sleep inducer…' Fleck nodded.  There didn't seem to be any other way to calm the girl down.

Costa attempted to speak to Vreya.

'Vreya…okay, look, calm down…'

'Get away from me!' she screamed.  'All of you!  This is all your fault!'

Squall frowned.  It was terrible to witness.  Losing a loved one…he knew how that felt.  How the pain ate up at you inside.  How you felt responsible.

Fleck walked forward, and Vreya backed away, looking around face tear-stricken, eyes wide.  They were all ganging up on her…everything was ganging up on her and she couldn't take the pressure.

Zane had heard the cries from inside, and reappeared at the doorway to see what all the fuss was about.  Bo had stepped forward to help restrain Vreya, along with Harris who had come back. 

Rica looked to Zane.  He didn't look too happy.

'Zane…what happened?'

Zane was silent, watching the girl. 

'Zane?'

'We were attacked.'

Squall turned his attention to the green-eyed boy.

'Attacked?  By what?'

'How the hell should I know?!  It wasn't human...' Zane said, shaking his head.  Rica stared at him in alarm. 

Arms had grabbed hold of her and were trying to restrain her.  But Vreya didn't want to be restrained.  She screamed, struggling wildly, cursing, and telling them to get their hands off her. 

Lila backed away, hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes.  To watch this happen to such a close friend was truly horrible.

'Get off me!  Let me go!'

'Okay sweetheart, it's okay, you're just a little tired…' Fleck soothed.  Vreya was outraged.  They were talking to her like she was crazy.  They didn't understand what she was feeling.  How angry, how hurt…

'No, I hate you, leave me alone!'

'Okay darling…okay, it's okay…' Bo said, and stuck the needle into the girl's arm.  She shrieked, and Rinoa's eyes widened.  She grabbed onto Squall.

'Squall!  I thinks she's…' she began, and then it happened.  One moment, arms were holding onto Vreya.  A split-second later, she gave a furious cry, and an electric energy , bright and blue, radiated from her.  It surrounded her and pushed back all that were close to her, sending them flying onto the floor and into walls, crying out in pain and surprise. 

'Shit!' Lila screamed 'Oh my God!'

Zane's mouth opened in a shocked 'o' and for once an expression was readable on his face. 

Rinoa's eyes widened.  She was…like her…the girl blinked, and backed away, painfully aware of what she had done.  She looked at her hands, confused, afraid, and shook her head, sobbing. 

Vreya had never felt so scared in her life.  What had she done?  They were all on the floor, looking at her with fear in their eyes, confusion…Vreya blinked, feeling very dizzy and faint, horrified at herself, wishing she could die.

A moment later she swayed, and dropped to the floor, unconscious, her entire world fading away into darkness, sorrow and pain.

Angelheart's end of chapter ramble:

O.O ooh.  That was…exciting.  Can't type anymore than that for now, please review, and thanks for reading.  Next one up soon, I hope.