SIXKILLER

This chapter opens more of Abby's history, pay some attention to it, its not that relevant but it helps you understand what sort of person Abby is -and of course I wouldn't forget adding a little excitement in the end, and no, it's not what you're thinking...it's a chase. Well, sort of. And it proves exactly how unfortunate Abby is capable of becoming. *sigh* she's breaking my heart.

Chapter Eleven

It was semi darkness in the forest with the sun a good hour away from rising. Tom and Abby had spent the night in the forest; they slept beside the log and huddled against the chilly night.

Tom was awake; he had stood up and approached the bank of the lake gazing in wonder at the horizon; wondering what would be brought on by today's rising sun. It was Tom's best night yet, Abby spent the late hours talking to him; last night's conversation took a sharp turn back to normality, with Abby talking about her harsh Irish childhood and Tom about his own family.

Abby said she was an English girl technically, but her mother is –was- an Irish woman, and she spent most of her life with her in the north, it was only on rare occasion did her father drop by from England to say hello. Well, half of the time was devoted to telling her mother what a 'wonderful bitch' she was, and Abby used to go outside to the fields every time her father came around, it was the only way she had to keep herself from getting hurt, her father only came to visit them after he spent his night in a bar and he visited in the early morning hours.

But Abby's life wasn't without delight; she used to work in a ranch rearing purebred horses and took personal care of a star stud called 'Rudy Robber'. Her prime hobby was horse riding, her interests? Horses. Her dream? Owning a purebred.

How did a girl like her end up loving a guy like Victor? It came to her impulsively; she has this thing with the leader types. Did she enjoy fighting the Yeerks? Used to, when the gang was all fine and Vic could laugh at himself and Jimmy's soft eyes were there to tell her how everyone and everything was special.

And what had she asked him? Who is your role model? Dad. What's your hobby? Basketball –former Basketball star player- and driving Midget nuts. What's the name of the girl you first loved? Pretty girl named Cindy. What about her? Don't want to talk about it. What, was she a heart breaker? You could say, wasn't her fault though, she dragged me into the sharing you see...

Tom closed his eyes, was it that far back? His attraction to Cindy was a fatal one. And how many months had past? Were they easy to count? It was better to leave it alone; after all he was free wasn't he? His days of slavery were gone and over. Past. History.

Tom gazed at the sleeping form of the Irish girl. No he wasn't free at all. Just thrown in a new complexity.

Tom wondered back to where Abby was sleeping. He dared not go back to the spot he'd been lying down at. Tom couldn't remember exactly when it was he fell asleep but it was with the dying conversation of star constellations and horoscopes, Tom and Abby laid down together and started identifying the different star groups; Big Dipper, Little Bear, Pegasus and the famously bright North Star was discovered by following Big Dipper's line, the last thing he remembered uttering was Orion the hunter and listening to Abby's tale about Orion.

She remembered that Orion had fallen in love with Merope, a daughter of some king whose name she could not remember, the father rejected the marriage of the two and Orion tried to gain possession of the maiden by resorting to violence, he however lost his sight by some mythological god and turned to seek shelter from a goddess, who later killed him for his affection to the goddess of dawn, hence, he was thrown to the heavens to become the present constellation.

Tom told her his Zodiac sign was Leo. And she responded with a gentle smile saying that she sensed it; Tom had been completely puzzled.

Tom yawned; he sat on the dead log and waited patiently for Abby to wake up. And just as the sun started to climb the sky, she did.

"Slept tight?" Tom asked her.

Abby nodded and stood up; she looked around the area with sad eyes. "So beautiful yet so little time to enjoy it."

"Maybe you should go home." Tom said, "I know you said you hated your father but I bet he's worried."

"No he wouldn't be." Abby said a bit coldly, "He's be sleeping on the floor with a dozen empty beer bottles. Don't worry about that."

"Sorry."

Abby started to say something but stopped herself, "Me too."

After a moment of silence Abby started walking towards the lake, "I'll wash up a bit, it wouldn't take long."

"Take as long as you like." Tom said smiling. "It's not like I have anything to do, do I?"

Abby laughed a little at that, "Yeah, I guess so."

Tom nodded and took his position on the log, his back facing the lake, it was only because of that was he able to glance at what flitted out of the trees.

It was an Andalite, it was quite a distance away, and it was standing still, staring at him as if it was shocked.

Tom gasped out loud, "ABBY RUN!"

"What is it Tom?" Abby's alarmed voice floated towards him with the gentle breeze.

Without wasting so much as a second, Tom whirled round and bolted. As he did so he hollered madly, "ABBY! Run, don't look behind you JUST RUN! ITS VISSER THREE!"

As his feet pounded the ground he could see Abby racing full out yards in front of him. But for some reason she was slowing down, "Abby run!"

"Tom," Abby finally stopped and turned to look back, "I'm not leaving you behind, come on!"

"Abby run! I'll catch up!" The words tore at his throat. "You go I'll-aah!"

WOOMPH!

"Argh!" Tom found himself suddenly falling towards the ground.

"TOM!"

"I'll keep him busy!" Tom shouted, as his vision clouded "Get the hell out of here!"

"Tom!"

"Go! Go! Go!" He could see the Visser coming towards him, galloping full speed. Far in front, Abby had finally started running again, he quickly lost sight of her as she hit the forest line.

Abby may have been running as fast as she could, but she felt as if each leg weighted like heavy iron, each step she took, took her away from Tom, and towards safety. She was heading for the city, she knew the way, in no time, she found herself back to the route they had taken.

When she reached the end of the route, Abby stopped running and doubled over. A panting, gasping, and crying Abby threw up.

The Yeerks had Tom back.

And it was all her fault.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Poor, poor Abby, everything's her fault isn't it? Tom's either going to become a host or be sliced up by the Hork-Bajir. *sigh* life may be sad but wait to find out what really happens, I may change my mind and end it happily :-)