Summer Days-2 Month Break from Life

Chapter Three

(Last chapter, Kat had just met face to face with her supposed idol, Jhonen Vasquez. But let us journey back to the confrontation at DibÕs houseÉ)

ÒI should have known it was you, alien scum.Ó Daz snarled. Ally sat patiently in her Voot Cruiser, a neutral look on her face. She had promised herself not to get mad at anything either would say, but it was extremely hard, ignoring her instincts as she was now.

Dib was a bit more tactful, but not quite. ÒWhat do you want from us?Ó He shouted, still clutching a stun gun in case the answer wasnÕt one he agreed with.

The shipÕs occupant shifted uncomfortably. She didnÕt want this to turn into just another bloody brawl, as was so frequent with conversations with Daz. ÒJust a simple, intelligent conversation would be nice!Ó She replied.

Daz looked at Dib. Dib returned the glance. Then they both collapsed onto the grass, doubled over with laughter.

Finally recovering five minutes later, Daz sat up. ÒWhen have you last wanted just Ôto talkÕ, Ally? DonÕt play games with us! WhereÕs your big, scary weapon you built to destroy us so we can go and neutralize it?Ó Dib still hadnÕt recovered from laughing.

Ally slumped into her chair, fuming. This wasnÕt turning out at all like she had planned. Finally, she leaned out the window. ÒWould it make you feel any better if we went inside to talk?Ó

Dib and Daz shared another look. Ally wouldnÕt have access to whatever gadgets she had in her ship, and there were plenty of restraining devices scattered about DibÕs room, just in case.

ÒSure,Ó Dib started, ÒI guess that would be all right. ButÉÓ He glared at Ally, ÒNo tricks. And you have to leave your robot thing here.Ó

ÒAgreed.Ó Ally hopped out of ship, and locked it. Tinew peered sadly out the window, but cheered up as she handed him the keys. ÒWheeee! I can listen to da radio!!Ó

ÒNot too loud, okay?Ó

ÒI wonÕt!Ó He promised. And with that, Ally followed Dib into his house.

(MeanwhileÉ)

Kat was near passing out again. The bump on her head had already blurred her vision, and the amount of blood stored in her head at the moment must have been tremendous. Not to mention the chains on her ankles had numbed the entire lower half of her body.

She couldnÕt scream; she couldnÕt think. All she could do was stare ahead blankly. At this point, death would be a relief. Instead she was here, hanging, lingering between life and death.

Well, not anymore! Maybe, just maybe, if she swung her head into the concrete wall hard enough, she could give herself brain damage and finally end it all! It was a crazy plan, but who was to say Kat wasnÕt crazy herself?

She began to swing, back and forth to start up speed. Ever closer, she moved towards the wall. CloserÉcloser stillÉAnd then suddenly, she was interrupted.

A small penguin guard entered the cell, clutching a plate of fruit. Nervously, he took out a set of keys and went to undo KatÕs locks. She waited with baited breath. Perhaps she wouldnÕt have to die after all! The locks snapped open, and Kat fell to the floor.

Head ringing, she tried to stand up. The pain she felt in her once-numb ankles drove her back to the floor. The penguin hobbled over to her. He held out the platter of food.

Gratefully, she took it from him and began eating. She recognized the fruit; peaches, though once ripe, were now rotten and spotted. Still, she swallowed them.

She looked into the eyes of her captor. The penguin was humanlike in nature, and glared back at her. There was an intense look behind the stare, as if he wanted to tell Kat something.

ÒOhÉI know!Ó Kat suddenly realized. ÒYou want me to scratch your tummy! Okay!Ó And as she reached out her hand, the penguin flopped obediently in front of her.

But instead of that, Kat whisked out her plate, now empty, and slammed it on top of the trusting penguinÕs head. As it sank into unconsciousness, Kat smiled. ÒStupid penguin.Ó She grabbed the keys, and ran.

(MeanwhileÉ)

Ally was almost bent over with humiliation. Dib would not allow her to enter his room without the proper ÔprecautionsÕ. Meaning, her back-pod was confiscated, and she was hooked up to a lie detector and strapped to a chair in the middle of the room. Both Daz and Dib were glaring at her peevishly.

Dib began. ÒWhat do you want?Ó

She sighed. ÒI need your help.Ó The lie detector remained silent.

Then Daz started. ÒHelp with what?Ó

ÒRescuing Kat.Ó

Daz glanced at Dib, then at the detector, which hadnÕt moved a muscle.

ÒWhy should we help you?Ó

ÒErÉbecause you owe me?Ó

ÒBZZZZ!!!Ó The detector crackled to life.

Ally shut her eyes. Thinking, she said. ÒBecauseÉbecause Kat deserves it?Ó

ÒBZZZZZ!!!Ó That detector was really starting to get annoying.

ÒShe sighed. ÒBecause IÕm desperate, and have no other choice.Ó

There was silence. Dib looked to Daz, and Daz said, ÒWell, okay.Ó And She then unstrapped Ally from the device.