A/N: And here's the little teaser I promised! I'm very sad that this is the last bit of story I'll be posting for a while, but I hope you all enjoy! Also, I'm working on another project in addition to this one, a Dark Matter and Supernatural crossover, so quite a different genre from this one! Make sure to check it out once I'm done, if you're interested.

Chapter 1: True Insanity

There is a special insanity one experiences after being locked up in the same place for an inordinate amount of time. A boredom that scrapes away at the brain until it is rubbed raw and bleeding, a painful stillness that pierces every muscle in the body.

And there it was, inside of me.

I swear to all that is good in this world, I'm going to MURDER someone. I groaned, shifting restlessly in my bed, staring out the window.

It had only been two days since I awoke from my coma-like state, put there by some sort of ancient, cosmic thing that I literally absorbed. The Apple was there, humming beneath my skin, a hidden power I'd never before possessed. I poked at him again, desperate for entertainment, but he still refused to respond. I don't blame him. I'd be a pretty annoying person to share a body with.

I glanced down at the parchment I'd perched on my lap, using a small board of wood as a desk that my brother, Ryan, had scavenged during his work for the local blacksmith. He was sympathetic and visited often, but even he couldn't stave off the annoyance that pricked at my brain. If he really wanted to help, he'd let me leave this damn room, I thought obstinately. Technically, I knew I still couldn't go more than an hour without falling asleep, but screw logic. I was bored.

And alone, I suddenly realized. Ryan was off with his mentor, Baha al-Din, Nadir was working yet another contract, and Nafisa had gone shopping for this week's groceries.

Hehe.

No, this is a terrible idea.

:)...

No! Bad Kaylyn, BAD-

I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, swaying for a second as black spots overtook my vision. I waited for them to disperse.

"What are you doing?" I sighed, turning my gaze inward to the confused celestial being that resided within me. It had been a long time since the Apple spoke, and I felt a twinge of rebellion.

I'm...going for a walk.

"You cannot be serious. Your vessel is not sufficiently strong, why…"

I'm bored, dude. I NEED to do something. He sighed mechanically, settling back into his corner and vibrating a soft disapproval.

"I know I cannot convince you otherwise, but please be careful." I grinned at him.

Of course. I always am.

And, ignoring the exasperation radiating from the back of my skull, I stood up.

And immediately collapsed, my jello-like muscles giving way under a weight they hadn't held in two weeks. Oh shi-

"Kay-lin?!" A familiar voice exclaimed, and I looked up in time to see Makin, the most attractive boy in the universe and the love of my life rushing to where I fell. "Kay-lin, what happened?! Are you alright?!"

Guilt flooded me, and I grimaced, looking up into his concerned face. "Yeah, I'm fine, Makin. I just...wanted to go for a walk…" Makin stared at me disbelievingly. He was wearing a normal set of robes, different from the assassin's armor I'd first met him in. His black hair was tousled, hanging about his face as though in desperate need of both a cut and a comb. It was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.

"A...walk? In your condition?" Oh boy. I sense a lecture coming on.

"Or, at least a walk downstairs. I need to get out of this stupid room!" I sighed and looked at that adorable face, giving him the best puppy-dog expression I could muster. Makin's gaze softened, and he smiled at me sadly.

"I know it is frustrating, Kay-lin, but you are still recovering, It would be unwise for you to go anywhere until Malik has deemed you fit enough." He paused then, thoughtful. "However...I could help you downstairs, if you wish to eat lunch with us. Rye-an and I were just discussing a few of al-Din's commissions."

I sat up, ignoring the wave of nausea that hit me like a freight train. "Really? Could you? PLEEEAAA-"

"Yes, yes, I can!" Makin laughed, holding up a hand to stop my droning of the word "please." He wrapped an arm around my waist, forcing me to shove down the blush threatening to dust my cheeks, and lifted me to a standing position.

"Is this okay?"

I nodded, pretending I wasn't leaning as heavily on him as we both knew I was.

To be continued...