CHAPTER 6: Together Again
Aur 1-6-2

The school bell rang, and my brother and I both departed from each other.
Walking into class I met Correy. She is the best friend of my host, and a friend of mine, I supposed, although she never knew it.
"Hi," she smiled. "Me and some others are going to go to the mall today. Would you like to come?"
"No, I have to work today."
"That's too bad," she gave me a nudge. "Maybe we'll come by and annoy you."
"Just as long as you don't get me fired."
After school I walked with them to the mall, but separated from the group to go to my host's job. She said she needed it because her mother thought she'd need the money, and would bother her relentlessly unless she kept it. So I kept the job for her.
I do not know if it was irony. Or if it was merely because I had miscalculated my escape the night before. But beyond the crowds of people, I saw the face of the one I never wanted to see again.
My eyes opened wide.
I knew that face. Those cruel, heartless eyes. The expressionless mood that seemed to dawn on him. It was Aximili. My eyes met his. And I knew I had to run.
"I have to go," I said quickly to Dennis, the human that worked with me that shift. "It's an emergency."
Before I could let him respond, I fled out of the restaurant. I had to find a way to escape. I had to.
I flew down the steps and tried not to look behind me. I reached the doorway and pushed them open.
"Whoa!" a girl backed up; I had almost flung the doors into her face.
"Sorry," I mumbled and blew past them and down the sidewalk.
I looked behind me. Aximili wasn't there. Then the doors opened and he was. He was pursuing with more vigor than I had first assumed. I turned and ran down the street.
Past dogs, people, mailboxes, all of them seemed a blur. I broke out into a sweat, and gasped for air as I continued to push my host's body beyond her running limit. She was a runner. And as I searched through her mind for all knowledge she had of the subject, I found myself nearing the woods.
I would never make it in there. Aximili could morph anything. My only chance was to hide and wait until he passed.
I jumped over a fallen trashcan and turned down an alleyway. The brick buildings loomed high above me, and it seemed pitch black dark. Perfect.
I went as far as I could go, which ended in a dead end, sat down behind a pile of boxes that seemed covered with three coats of soot and dust, and waited, still panting. I listened to my surroundings. Maybe a rat here or there at most. My hand rested on my side pocket, just to remind my that I had broken my Dracon and hadn't replaced it yet. The advantage was his.
Wait! I listened more closely. Yes, it was the sound of footsteps. I tensed up and held my breath.
The footsteps came closer... then I heard a grinding sound, and more steps, but most unusual. More as if there were two people instead of one. Two people... four legs. His eyes could adjust better. He might be able to see me. And most certainly he would be able to hear me.
My heart thumped across my chest. I listened intently. And then... a sound of nothing at all. Was I safe?
BAM!
The boxes had been kicked away. Someone grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me up, forcing me to stand up.
Hello, Aur 1-6-2, Aximili growled.
"Don't kill me," I begged. But then I stopped myself. What was I doing? I would never beg an Andalite of such a thing, never! Whether it cost me my life or not. "Leave me alone."
You already know an exceeding limit of information. I should have killed you when I had the chance.
"What are you going to do? Kill me here?!" I asked angrily. "They'll find the body. Questions shall be asked. They'll see the marks."
Yes and any Yeerk will see that an Andalite did it.
"Get away from me, Aximili. I know you do not want this host of mine dead so just GET AWAY!"
Aximili narrowed his eyes and raised his tail. I kill Yeerks and their hosts everyday. Why should this one be any different?
"Because..." I couldn't find anything. "Because this one is-"
"Ax?"
I heard the voice break through the cold air and darkness. I looked toward my only exit where two figures were coming our way. Hesitation. There was nothing but a moment's quietness.
"All right." But then, "Are you sure?"
More silence. Another break.
"I catch what you're saying. You know what to do. We'll have Erek take a look of her profile."
I was confused at this statement, but I didn't have time to comprehend the words. Because then...
FWAP!
Aximili struck his tail into the side of my head. Or did he? All I felt was falling. Down... down... into the suppression of the darkness.