IX. The Fight for Gas

I'm pretty sure my mind bought it's tickets, packed it's bags, and left this universe.

Leaving Majin Buu stunned, I took the opportunity to run as fast as I could. Away. Far away.

I ran until my muscles were on fire, my lungs were completely stripped, and my throat was clenched like the thread of a needle. At that point, I slowed to a walk, having absolutely no idea where I was going.

Maybe it was mere chance, or some kind of divine guidance, but I stumbled across Ol' Betty. I didn't know why Majin Buu didn't follow me to kill me, or follow me to rape me, or some other equally horrible thing. I pulled open the door to my little red truck, climbed in, twisted the key in the ignition, and drove away.

And still, I saw no one.

I must have driven for hours, carefully avoiding the city I had escaped from. The roads were littered with broken down cars with impaled roofs and doors. For fear of what I would find, I didn't look inside any of them. My stomach wasn't very good at handling death.

I followed the coastline in the direction I assumed to be northward, until I came to a small town. It seemed to be unharmed for the most part, so I turned off at the exit and drove down the main thoroughfare, very much aware of Betty's low gas tank.

Deserted shops lined the road, but so far, I had not seen a dead body. We putted along for a few minutes before I spotted a gas station. The overhang to the pumps was broken, but had luckily fallen some ways off. The neon sign on the front was flickering,

Pulling in, I saw a few cars blocking the way. Climbing out of the car, I began to shove with all my might.

Of course, they didn't budge.

I examined Betty's gas meter again. We were getting dangerously close to running on fumes. I wasn't about to go out there all by myself...

And that's when a nearby explosion sent me hurtling into the hood of my truck. Gripping the fender, I straightened my legs and stood up, looking around for the source of the disruption. I ran towards the gas station's food mart, peeking around the corner.

Across the street, a small shop was enveloped in billowing smoke. Broken glass lay scattered all across the pavement, and I could hear loud grunts from the little store.

I could hear my heart beating in my ears as I crept across the street, stepping over pieces of glass shards. I could feel a few lodging themselves into the flesh of my feet. I pressed myself against the wall next to the broken window, peering inside through the smoke. I held my nose to stop from coughing, and I waved my hand in front of me for some visibility.

After waiting for what seemed like eternity, the smoke finally cleared. I instantly saw a familiar pink body, still wearing an orange shirt and baggy white pants. He was ripping the glass cover off of a display case, shoving obviously fake or moldy cakes and pastries into his mouth.

I stopped myself from choking, instantly gaining Majin Buu's attention.

"You again?" he questioned irritably, a large piece of white cake hanging from his lip. I bit my tongue, pressing myself against the wall. This time, it wasn't a fear of death. It was a fear of slow, painful death.

"What are you doing here?" Majin Buu interrogated, glaring at me. I bit my lip, twiddling my thumbs.

"I asked you a question!" he insisted, getting a little close for comfort. I squeezed my eyes closed, but that crumb... still.. there.. hanging from his..

"THERE'S A CRUMB ON YOUR LIP!" I cried, unable to hold it in any longer. Majin Buu blinked at me, then raised a finger to his mouth and wiped away the cake.

I took a deep breath, earning a bizarre look from the Pink Wonder. I glared back, shaking my fist.

"And just what do you intend to do?" he asked, crossing his arms indignantly. I stomped my foot.

"You know what? While you're standing here all smug, the entire world is destroyed, my car is out of gas, and I'm hungry!" I scolded, kicking at the broken glass window. A piece went skittering across the cement, and cut a large gash in my shoe.

"There is cake in here," Buu replied, shrugging.

I'm pretty sure he heard my jaw clunk against the floor, but I don't think he cared. He motioned towards the shop, and I followed.

Majin Buu led me behind the counter, rifling through some cupboards until he came across a box with a small yellow sticky note on it. It read, "PIERON B-DAY PARTY" and contained many very delicious looking chocolate cupcakes.

As he was just about to hand them to me, Majin Buu took on a more thoughtful look.

"Oh.. Please?" I begged, reaching for the cupcakes. He shook his head and tapped his chin.

"I'll give you these cupcakes.. if.. if you give me another kiss," he bargained, holding the cupcakes above my head. I moaned, reaching once more.

"...Fine..." I muttered.