HA HA!!!! Not even the complete shutdown of my computer will stop me from writing!

Hello again everyone! Sean here. It took me a while, but I finally finished the last chapter's of Monster Maker's STORY. I still have only two chapters and the end to go, but after that, this story is DONE.

This chapter, as the ones that follow, has important moments. This one features a talk between Joy and Caylin. Caylin's real priority here is his seriousness in what he's talking about.

The next is Readagar's meeting.

Anyway. Enjoy and review!

Chapter 27 Searching for Answers

Things had calmed down from the current event. The woman who was allied with Kroitz had the group secured in the room. Having no rope or restraints, they were set across the room.

She stood in the middle of the walkway, gun trailing on any individual close by. Contacting Kroitz was what she was doing now.

Carmyne stood on the elevated walkway, hands on the rail. She had been thinking of a way to get them out, but so far, all casualties. Mary was near the large plasma screen, seemingly calm about the situation.

Joy had been near the elevator, trying to think of a way to get everyone out, but to no avail. Caylin had been beside her, standing, but was crouched down, laying against the wall with his knees to his stomach, arms crossed. He hadn't done anything since this all had started. The only movement was the tip of his tail, slowly shifted side to side at times.

Joy looked down at him. Caylin wasn't one to be in a thinking mood for a long period of time, at least that's what she thought. Figuring that it was all she could do, she crouched down beside him, seeing what was on his mind.

"….You doing alright Cay?" she asked, he voice low enough not to attract attention. Caylin just nodded. "Something on your mind?".

Caylin just looked over at her, seeming to be serious. "I was just thinking…." he said, so low that Joy almost didn't hear him.

"About….what?". Caylin sighed, looking away. "I….don't know why I'm here in the first place". Joy seemed to understand, but seemed off. "What are you talking about?". Again, Caylin sighed, looking up at nothing.

"….Its….its just…..I'm sitting here while you guys know what to do….". He titled his head to his right, shielding half his face with an arm. "I just tag along for the ride…".

Joy got it. He seemed to be hiding an exact thought, but this one alone was enough that made her want to comfort him.

"Caylin…." she started, but Caylin interrupted. "Its always the same…..like….like when Randall fell…I couldn't do anything….".

There was part of it. Joy had an complete answer this time.

"Caylin…..none of us could have done anything…we were too far away….but the main thing about that was Randall was ok".

Caylin turned center again, looking straight.

"What if he drowned? I….I know Randall can't swim….but…..". Caylin looked at his hand, lifting it slightly. His face seemed to tighten, as if fixed on a thought….

"I'm useless……aren't I?"

That was what it was. Joy knew what he was talking about.

"Everyone else can do everything….I….". He tilted his head again. "I can't do anything".

"Caylin….".

He didn't seem to listen. "Randall can do all these things…..so can everyone else….I just…..I just get in the way….".

Joy could see Caylin had been thinking this for a while, since Randall's fall probably. He now had the time to think it over, tell someone. Now it was Joy's turn.

"Is that…..is that what you really think Caylin?" she asked, softly. He nodded. "Yeah….Its just that…me and Randall had been friends….And from what I heard from everyone….about everything he's been through…..I…I just can't compare…".

"…..Caylin…..you and Randall are friends…..but you can't keep comparing yourself to him" Joy started out.

"But…I like to do some of the things Randall can…" Caylin replied, looking up once again. "I mean….if I could be like Randall….or like any of you guys….I could help out…..not just sitting here".

He really had been thinking. Joy was not sure how to respond at first. Caylin had wanted to help in every event they've been through, but didn't seem to show it. She had to think of something to snap him out of it. But what?

Caylin had looked down again, arms covering his face. A piece of his crest of hair got caught between the cross, his tail not moving. He seemed to have wanted to end the conversation there and then. But Joy wasn't about to. She looked away before finding the words.

"….Nobody's useless Caylin…." was the start. Caylin looked up at her, seeming un-surprised at it. "Cay its not that your useless….your just thinking that….I mean…I've known Randall for a while now and Sean's told me allot about him….he's not as perfect as you may think….".

"I….know he's not perfect…." Caylin replied quickly. "Its just that he can do more than me". "Since when does a person's ability to do things judge who they are?" Joy butted in. "Then what can I do huh?!". Caylin seemed angry, but didn't go over a whisper.

Joy was as much surprised about this than anybody would be. Caylin wasn't the type to be angry, or at least to a great extend. The sudden outburst, how small it was, was pretty shocking. Still, Joy knew he wanted an answer. She was still looking at her if she was the only hope he had in the world. Hope. Would that help? Joy had it now.

"…..You give us hope Caylin…".

Caylin was the one to be surprised now. "W….what?". Joy could tell he was confused, but she could explain. She looked away from him, trying not to see his reaction.

"Caylin…..every….every time things look bad….like…..like now even…..during all of this….you would still be laughing an joking…". "It helps Cay….you cheer us up when things look their worst…think about it….".

She looked down at the metal floor, trying to recall and thinking over what she was saying.

"Sean……Sean told me how Randall was in the Human world….what they talked about……he met a few monsters there…..Randall always said that…when he enjoyed himself…when he laughed….heh…I always liked seeming him smile….so happy……but….when he enjoyed himself….he'd always…he's always want to push on….to get through whatever came his way".

Caylin took this in, seeming to nod off a times, but because it was helpful. Joy seemed to place on a confused look, thinking about what she was saying, like she wasn't told it by anyone else.

"…I think its because you cheer Randall up all the time Caylin….is why he's always pushing forward, never giving up…..".

Caylin was watching her the whole time now. Joy looked back at him. "…And that goes for all of us Caylin……".

Caylin seemed to smile. Joy copied it. "There's the Caylin we know and love…". He chuckled, seeming as if the emotional strain was gone.

"See Cay….its just your head thinking that….but without people…..heh…monsters like you….where would we be?". Caylin moved his hands away, still smiling. "Now you've gone too far heh….". Joy had gotten to him.

"….Besides….what's an adventure without a few laughs huh?".

They both shared a small chuckled, but Joy quickly stopped, hearing the woman's voice yet again, calling Kroitz from a Walkie Talkie.

"…..So…umm….any ideas of getting out of here?" Joy asked, looking at Caylin. "Nope…my gears are just starting" he replied, rubbing the side of his head. "You?".

Joy had reminded herself of something when her hand brushed against her hand pocket. Terrance had helped.

"Yeah….just…let me think heh….".

Readagar had stayed down for a few minutes now, only one or two probably. The gash had left its aftermath of pain. His teeth and eyes gritting. He felt like he was going into shock. He had even forgotten if he was either poisoned or not. Something that always bothered him.

"(Le…..L….he…..)".

His thoughts were scattered now. He couldn't think straight. Readagar was tough, but being hit like he was and having Death knocking his scythe as he transversed the hall was something that actually scared him.

But then something caught his attention.

Patting of some kind. It was not the same as the creatures. It was familiar. Footsteps of some sort. But these could hardly be heard by normal monsters. The sound was the same when he went through a hall. The patting sound that monsters like he and Randall made when they ran.

"(Ran….dolph? No……it can't be them…….Rayford? Naomi?)".

He tried to think of who it was. Whomever they were, they got closer. Readagar opened his eyes, getting the blurry version of the hall. Two colors were coming down the hall. He could see two figures now.

They came close.

The left one was a dark color. He seemed to be the same size as Randall, but he looked kind of like a monitor. He was reptilian, somebody Readagar didn't know The right one was of a lighter green. He kinda looked like iguana.

The iguana crouched down. He seemed to have something in his hand, but Readagar didn't care.

"He looks pretty bad…" he said. The iguana seemed to look up at the monitor. "Hmph…could have gotten here on…".

Readagar felt something touch his back and something grab his hands. Who ever they were, they were helping him up to his feet.

The iguana was holding him up, Readagar seeing a cane in his right hand, the monitor getting the door Readagar had collapsed near open. As soon as it was, they stepped in.

The monitor headed straight for the left wall as the iguana dragged Readagar inside, slowly placing the dazed monster to the left of the door. Readagar could see the monitor monster typing on a keyboard on the left wall, computer screen fixed into the wall.

The iguana had placed the can he had into Readagar's bottom right hand. "Hold it…keep yourself up alright". Readagar took it in a firm grip, but that was all he could do. After that, he felt his tail being grabbed. He couldn't get why, but the iguana placed his tail on the black desk inserted into the wall, firmly. He seemed to notice the confusion on his face. "Keep elevated….slow the flow…." was the answer he gave.

With a firm hand on Readagar's chest, the iguana looked over to the monitor.

"He'll be fine, but not without medical attention Trent….". The monitor had a name now, but still, Readagar couldn't tell who they were.

Trent seemed more focused on the computer. "The group will come down as soon as we get rid of our little guests….he'll be fine….".

The iguana seemed to nod. "What about the others?". Trent seemed finished with what he was doing, turning his head. "They'll be fine…..".

Looking back at Readagar, the iguana seemed to smile. "Hey…you'll be alright…just don't go into shock and you'll be fine…".

He seemed to want to say something else, but a sound outside in the hall seemed to catch his attention. A growl from the creatures.

"Great…" the iguana mumbled. Trent seemed to be finally done, heading over to the two and stopping beside the other monster.

"They're faster than I thought…" was his only comment. He took a quick look at Readagar before opening the door and getting out.

The iguana kept a hand on Readagar, taking the cane for a second. Then, it was placed back under Readagar's hand, but it seemed different. Readagar looked down to see the head of the cane and a long silver….

That was all he could get before the monster started out. He stopped, looking back. "Just don't move allot ok? You'll be fine just wait….".

Readagar only had one question on mind. "W….ho….are you guys…..". He seemed tired, or out of breath. The iguana seemed to smile. "Lets just say we know your friend Randall….".

That was all he said before stepping out, the door closing.

Readagar seemed to want to know what they were doing. He edged slowly to the window of the door. Using the cane as a balance, he made sure to keep his tail on the table and to not drag his back on the wall.

When his left eye was able to see out, he could only see the silhouette of the two.

"(They're fighting them?)"

Rayford and Naomi had become worried. Ever since Readagar left to see to Randolph, they were sure their son was safe. But for some reason, they felt concerned for Readagar himself. Rayford was near the door, an arm set on it. Naomi was still on the bed, which Rayford insisted for her to be.

"…..Where is that boy?" Rayford mumbled. The creatures had been getting louder outside, closer. Naomi wasn't scared, but determined to believe he was safe.

"I mean…..I'm sure Randolph's alright…you know he's a smart one…." Rayford added, turning his head slightly, but didn't move his eyes. "But Readagar…..well…..lets just say that…".

"Its Victor isn't it?".

Rayford nodded. "Yeah….I just hope Rea…." he started.

Something outside caught their attention.

Throughout the halls, the creatures halted their rampage. Their attention came to the metal plates above their heads. Each one lowering slightly by metal cylinders. Covered was a circular object with extended tubes with ventilation ends.

Something's started pouring in, though one could hardly see it, but it could be heard. A loud sound almost like a stage fan at a concert. The contents started pouring out. Within a matter of minutes, a few of the creatures fell. Many falling on one another, others hitting side against the walls or falling to the floor. A few dug their claws into the wall or into others.

Within only ten minutes, the piles of the dead bodies finally laid still. Successful, the ventilation shafts slowly retrieved the cover of the metal plates.

Seeming safe with the go ahead, a woman's computer voice alerted that the process was over, few of the occupants in the safe zones stepped out. Breathing the air safely, many jumped with joy, strangers hugged, cheering started. It was quick and easy, only a few existed in the streets, ready to be taken out by the military forces.

The fight in Monstropolis was over.

A talk from a friend can make you stop doubting yourself, as Caylin learned.

Anyway. Readagar's meeting is something you should keep in the back of your head for now, as it will all lead up to the finale about two stories later.

The fight in Monstropolis is over, but what about Randall and Sean's fight? What about Randolph? Will Joy and the other's escape?

OH! The cliffhanging!