Hey dear friends!

So, I have some fun news! I recently started a tumbr account, where I will be posting info and details about my fics and doing some character bios for any OCs I make. My username is Swarthy-Warthog (of course). Follow me at blog/swarthy-warthog

Now, back to the story! Please favorite, follow and review! You guys are amazing!

ZzZzZzZ

Addison breathed in the smell of the evening forest as she and Zed walked together towards the wolf den. Their hands, held together with fingers intertwined, swung back and forth between them. Behind the couple, Eliza, Bonzo, Bree and Bucky were trudging along through the foliage, rocks, and tree trunks. While it wasn't quite autumn yet, she could now feel the familiar chill in the breeze as it caused her hair to dance about in messy waves. Despite the somewhat solemn tone of the group, she couldn't help but grin a little. Addison loved everything fall-related, including pumpkins, chai lattes, and cozy bonfire nights with her friends.

This wasn't exactly the average bonfire night, though.

Tonight, the goal was to reconvene with all of the involved zombies, humans, wolves, and Lunites, and try to form a more solid plan. Wyatt had assured everyone that Mayar and a few of the other Lunites would be there. Today's events at the school would add even more stress to the situation. She was certain that the zombies had been made feral on purpose, but she didn't know why. She hoped that maybe her friends or sister might be able to provide some illumination into the mystery.

Another large concern for Addison was that she hadn't actually told Bucky about any of it. The moonstone, the Lunites, her powers. Not to mention her extremely unexpected heritage. He was going to freak. Unfortunately, when Bucky had awakened only seconds after fainting, she hadn't had a chance to say anything to him other than "Emergency Bonfire meeting, tonight. Come by my house at seven o'clock." There were too many others around to say more.

He had given her a quizzical look, but then nodded from his place on the floor. To be honest, she had been to shocked by Bucky's unanticipated kindness towards the zombies that she had momentarily forgotten everything else. He had helped them. He hadn't run, hadn't tried to bring them harm. He had stayed to help ensure that the zombies were safe. Such actions from him were unprecedented.

Of course, then a z-patrol officer appeared next to them, and all chances of having a conversation with her cousin were vanquished, as Bucky immediately launched into a dramatic monologue about "being a hero" and "deserving a key to the city." Medical personnel had arrived on the scene by that time, and so she, Bucky, and Zed were led to the nurse's office.

Addison looked down at her hand in Zed's, which was now covered in an assortment of brightly colored band-aids. Bucky's hands matched, but his cuts were even more numerous since he had already helped Zita by the time Zeke had lunged for him. Zed's shoulder was now re-broken, and he was stuck in his brace for at least another week. The others, the zombies who had gone feral, were led to one of the safe rooms to be examined, and to determine if they would need to go to containment.

Surely that wouldn't happen. It wasn't even their fault.

"What are you thinking about?" Zed asked.

While she had been lost in thought, he had been watching her facial expressions.

"A lot of things. But, mainly I'm thinking that we should catch Bucky up to speed on what's going on, before we get to the wolves' den and he sees a bunch of aliens standing around."

His eyes widened slightly and he glanced back towards her cousin, who was vehemently describing his earlier heroics to a very irritated-looking Eliza. Zed grinned as he looked back to Addison, and he squeezed her hand extremely gently so as not to hurt her many cuts. She smiled back. He was so handsome. To be honest, she was pretty sure that the new scar to his forehead had only made him look better.

The couple slowed to a stop, causing Bree and Bonzo to nearly run directly into them.

"We need to talk to Bucky before we get there." Addison said.

"He needs some context before he meets, um, our new friends." Zed added, clearly not quite sure how to describe the Lunites.

Bonzo's mouth popped open, and Bree flung her head towards Bucky, who had still been in the middle of annoying Eliza.

"What?" They both said in unison, each sounding frustrated for completely different reasons.

"Bucky," Addison started. "Ah, we have a few things that we need to tell you. It has to do with the attack at school today, at least we think it does." Everyone else seemed to nod in agreement.

He arched an eyebrow, his large eyes staring them all down as he waited.

He silently gestured for her to continue, and Addison could tell that despite his ever-confident expression, he was nervous.

They stood in a loose circle, surrounded by a subdued orchestra of singing crickets as Addison began to speak.

"Okay Bucky. I know you know about the attack today, but there's a little more information you need to have. First off, the 'mysterious explosion' in Zombietown wasn't an explosion. It was a second moonstone, crashing into earth, like a meteor. Then, the next morning, Wyatt went missing in the haunted woods."

At this point, Bucky went slightly pale. She felt like she was overloading him, but taking time to let things absorb wasn't really an option at the moment

Hesitantly, Addison continued.

"That's why me, Zed and the rest of us were gone for several hours. We were looking for him. And we found him in the haunted woods, safe at sound."

"But we found something else there, too" Eliza interjected.

"Something we weren't expecting to find. There are people living in the haunted woods. Well, underneath them. They're called Lunites. That's who we're meeting with tonight at the bonfire meeting."

"You'll like them." Addison cut in.

"They're kind and helpful. And... They look a lot like me."

Bucky glared at her.

"What does that mean?"

Addison paused. She suddenly felt extremely self-consious. This was the kind of conversation she would rather have with her cousin in private, since explaining her lineage was probably going to be a little upsetting for both of them.

"Hey guys," Zed said, sensing her discomfort.

"Let's, ah, go on ahead, give them a little space."

He winked at her, and she smiled gratefully. Zed might not be able to read her thoughts like she could his, but he didn't need to. He just knew her that well.

Eliza took the lead, looking very glad to have escaped her conversation with Bucky. Addison could feel her relief sprinkling down onto her head like raindrops. The others followed, including Zed, pacing far enough ahead that they were out of earshot, but not out of view.

Love you, Ads. Zed thought to her as he continued ahead with the others.

Beginning a slow walk, Addison proceeded to explain all she had learned about her unusual parental history. Bucky was uncharacteristically quiet as she spoke, and the only sounds for a few minutes were her words and the crunching of leaves beneath their feet. When she had finished, he remained silent for a long moment, and Addison found herself growing anxious as she felt Bucky's unease mount. His eyes were comically large as he pondered her words.

"So... You're an alien?" He finally said.

"Yep."

"But you're still my cousin, right?"

"Yep."

Bucky seemed to relax slightly.

"Well, as long as we've got that, we'll be great." He said, nodding confidently as he flashed his presidential, cheerleader smile.

Addison smiled. She had been pleasantly surprised the past few days at the progress her older cousin had been making. He really seemed to have matured a lot in the last few months. His actions today at school, as well as his reaction to her revelation just now, were proof of that.

"I'm really proud of you, Buckster."

He arched a dramatic eyebrow.

"One, never call me that again." He said, waving a finger at her in a scolding gesture.

Then, she swore she saw a faint blush as he averted is eyes and offered a mumbled "thanks."

Deciding not to further embarrass him, Addison simply grinned, and nodded her head towards the wolf den.

"Let's catch up with the others."

Together, they walked the rest of the short journey, turning their conversation towards more comfortable subjects, like cheerleading and their routine ideas for sectionals.

ZzZzZzZ

The small group of Lunites walked quietly through the woods, huddled close together as they traveled in the direction of the wolves's den. Of course, they had been to the den many times, but always in their tunnels where they were safe and unseen. Out in the open, everything seemed too bright and a little creepy, even though night had fallen and it was technically safe for them to be out. Their hair glowed dimly beneath their hoods and shawls, obscuring most of their light.

Mayar glanced to her side, gently grasping her friend Qamar's hand as she felt his nervousness. He looked back at her, gently squeezing her hand in return.

Qamar was a year or so younger than her, but was already far taller than Mayar ever would be. He had full, pale lips and dark blue eyes, with shoulder-length, spiraling white hair. Most of them kept their hair long, even the males, since their hair was also their source of light much of the time.

You sure about this? He asked without speaking.

Of course! She replied confidently.

Starlight is my little sister, and her friends are good people. You know that, you've had scouting assignments in both Zombietown and the wolves' den.

I'm not worried about the zombies or the wolves, or your sister. He replied with a grin.

But if we continue to go out in the Above like this, the humans are going to discover us. They're the ones that make me worried. They don't have the best history with non-human beings.

Aruna, the only other friend Mayar had talked into coming, was nearly bouncing with excitement.

Oh, come on, Qamar! How are you not completely psyched? I've been waiting my whole life to do something this interesting!

Her long, straight hair waved about under her hood, which had partially slid off of her head as she moved about. Aruna had green eyes, similar to Mayar's, and was also far taller than her. She had lovely, almond shaped eyes, and a bright smile gleamed in the low blue light of her hair.

Mayar nodded, feeling her friend's joy and excitement seeping into her skin.

Unlike Qamar, who was cautious and quiet, Aruna was exuberant and joyous. Her job was generally to watch out for the smaller children while their parents were scouting, and she was beyond thrilled to be invited to the Above.

Mayar squeezed Qamar's hand again, hoping to lend him some of her strength and confidence in their newfound friends.

They are good people, Qamar. I know that and so do you. As for the humans... We will just have to cross that bridge when we trip over it.

Qamar stifled a laugh.

I'm not sure you're saying that phrase right.

Mayar and Aruna joined him in his quiet laughter as they continued to the den. They were nearly there, now.

Despite her assurances, Mayar actually was a little nervous.

Wyatt would be there.

It was not an emotion she was used to, but she really wanted him to like her. And to like how she looked. She knew that it was vain, but when she had dressed for the evening, she had chosen her most brightly colored outfit. A deep royal blue top and dark grey harem pants, with a midnight blue capelet and a single, shimmering earring made out of silver.

Lunites were a minimalist people, but they occasionally obtained accessories from Seabrook's cast-off jewelry and fabrics. Much like the zombies did, they made their refurbished jewelry and decorations from old appliances and items that had been thrown away by humans. This silver earring was the only jewelry item Mayar owned, other than the dainty necklace of tiny Obsidian crystals her mother had left her, which she always wore under her clothing.

Aruna leaned over across from Qamar, sending her friend a sympathetic smile.

Mayar, of course he likes you back! Namid was in the tunnels today, and at dinner he said you were the only thing Wyatt was thinking about all day... He said it got annoying after a while.

Mayar couldn't help but brighten as her cheeks blushed a light blue.

Oh, Mayar's got a boyfriend! Qamar quipped, dipping his snowy eyebrows up and down in mock-flirtatiousness.

"Stop it you guys! We're almost there, he'll hear you!" She playfully nudged him, causing Qamar to bump into Aruna as they all giggled again.

And remember, she said, we have to talk out loud while we're there. They won't be able to hear us, otherwise.

"Oh, right." Aruna said, her voice warbling heavily as she attempted to speak aloud. Since their vocal chords were formed differently than other species, Lunites often sounded like they were trying to speak through water. Mayar had more practice than her friends.

"It must be so strange, having to speak with your mouth all the time." She continued, absent-mindedly feeling her face and lips as she spoke.

"It sounds exhausting." Qamar tried, also feeling his face and placing a hand to his throat as his voice quavered.

Ugh, that will take some getting used to. He muttered in her head.

"Well, we'll get plenty of practice, because it looks like we're here!"

She gestured forward, where the nearby light of the fire danced along the outer rock walls of the den. Further away, Mayar could hear Addison, Zed and the others approaching.

With Mayar and Aruna grinning, and Qamar looking worried, the three linked arms and strode together into the light of the campfire.