Chapter Eight: Nothing but Nothing

Tears spilled down my face as they tossed me into the same cell as last time. Crawling around in the dark, I found the light switch again and tripped it. Kleiver wasn't there anymore. They knew I would enjoy it too much if I had company. I guess a montser is doomed to live alone...

After a few days in prison, I became acustomed to the rough environment. Even though I knew this was bad, I had tried many times to look on the bright side. Well, you got your adventure. And besides, maybe they're missing you so much they're already cooking up a plan to get you out!

Don't be so sure about that, my dear.

Vegar! You did this! You got what you wanted, now leave me alone!

Here, why don't I show you? Just then a small, bright portal opened up in front of me.

Jump in. I was suspicious at first, but you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat. Holding my breath, I leaped into the portal, tensing my muscles for fear that it was a trick. When I opened my eyes and released my breath, I was in the Naughty Ottsel. He's released me!

Not quite.

What do you mean?

This isn't real. You're not real. You're just a myth. I looked down at my hands. They were see through. I get it. It's just so I can see everything on the outside. I knew that was too easy... Michael entered the room. I'd seen things like this on TV, so I knew he couldn't see me. In fact, he walked right through me. How rude.

"Hey, Jak!" He had been sitting up at the bar the whole time. Drunk. "Ughhh," he mumbled. Mike tilted his head to the side. "Hangover?" Jak slowly nodded his head and lay his head down. Poor guy. He really misses me.

Keep watching.

Keira walked in with a smug look on her face. She sat next to Jak and lay her head against his fore arm. "Last night's party killed me." It felt like my heart stopped.

Party? Michael sat down next to Jak and Keira and smiled. "Well, I had fun!" I coudn't breathe. Not that I was alive, but still, it wasn't comfortable.

And they don't even miss you!

Shut up, Vegar! Just wait. I'll bet they're just pulling my leg! Daxter jumped up from behind the counter. He leaned up against Jak's shoulder and smirked. "Hey, how come you and Ashlynn left the party so early?" Oh...My...God... Jak sat up and looked at Keira. "Hey, how come you and Torn were the last to leave?" Holy...Shit...

Yes, Jordan. All of your little dream couples had fun with the wrong people!

No! This can't be happening! I can't let this happen!

But it already did... He was right. It'd already happened, and nothing could change it. "I can't believe they don't miss me," I whispered to myself. I felt dizzy as the room started to swirl. Soon, I was back in my cell. They don't even care.

This was the third depression that Ihad gone into since this whole thing started. First, my family. Next, my powers. Now, my friends. It was just too much. This had to stop. End it. End it yourself. He said they would kill me, but he was wrong. I would be the one to do it. They're just helping. I raised my claws high above my head. You got your adventure...

Stop!

What now! Come to depress me even more? And tell Ashlynn and Jak that I hope they had fun last night!

What are you talking about?

You know very well what I'm talking about, Samos! Everyone was partying because they were happy that I was gone! Even Torn and Keira did "it"!

No, no, no, silly girl! That was Vegar!

Huh?

I brought you back from that horrible image. He was tricking you! He wants you to die!

Why? He practically created this "monster" inside of me.

Remember? You were just an experiment gone wrong. They think they have no use for you! Vegar didn't want to get dirty killing you himself.

Where's everybody else?

Right here with me.

Tell 'em I said "hi"! I've got some business to take care of! With that, I shut off my mind to Samos and concentrated on a plan. I paced my dungeon as other thoughts poured into my mind:

How could I be so stupid! Keira loves Jak! And besides, Ashlynn likes him, it doesn't mean that he likes her back. Anyway, back to my plan. Well, I can't go back out the way I did last time...

The vent had been removed from the ceiling for fear that I would escape again to murder. Hm, I guess they're smarter than I thought. No big. I'll just find another way out... I lay down on my "bed" and scammed up another plan. Vegar, so small, and yet so stupid. I wish I could crush him beneath my bare feet! Without thinking, I kicked the end post of the bed. It hurt at first, but then I realized what I had done. I'd bent the post all the way back. Sweeeeet. I got up and examined the door. Sturdy, but probably not sturdy enough! Like before, I reared back my hand and swung.

CRASH!

The door fell back revealing two Freedom Fighters. "Oh my God!" one screamed, leaving the other behind to face me. "Wha-wha do you w-want?" he stuttered.

"Nothing," I said casually, having made another plan. "Nothing?" he said suspiciously. "That's right. Nothing." He took a step forward, becoming braver, or stupider, by the second. "I'm going to have to arrest you... Again."

"Hey, may I remind you that I can kill you with just one swipe." He was drained of his courage, or stupidity, and stepped back to his old position. "All I want is a little help..." The guard stepped forward again, seeing as I was just playing with him. This is neat! I can make people dance! "Then again..." He stepped back again. Do-si-do!

"Nevermind, just listen to my offer: If you help me get out of here and promise me to help slit Vegar's throat, I'll spare your life. Deal?"

"Deal!" That was quick. How pathetic... I held out my hand and told him my name. "Jordan, huh? I know you! You're that weird girl that they brought from the other world! I'm Garret, Captain Garret." His voice seemed distant, and I could tell that he was not totally sure whether he wanted to help or not. "Well, how do we get out of here?"

"How do you want to get out of here?" Smart ass.

"Alive and well, thank you! Got any secret passages around?" Garret nodded and pointed at a nearby gate. "It's not really secret, but it goes underground all the way to the port!"

"Perfect!" I must have surprized him, for he once again jumped back...again. "Look, I'm not gonna' hurt you, okay? I thought I made this clear! Now, let's go." Garret gulped and headed for the door, double taking every step. Dude, just trust me!

It was a long walk, but it was worth it. For when we got to the saloon, I recieved hugs and back slaps every time I took a step. I'm so special. "I can't believe you made it out!... Again!" Mike was in front of me, beaming like he had just won a year's supply of chocolate. Mmm, chocolate. Well, it's not like I could have it if I did get a hold of some. I licked my braces as I though of this. They were supposed to be removed in another year or so. I wonder if they did stuff like that here? Yuck, don't even think about it! "I'm just glad to be back."

"Look out, Jordan!" Daxter shouted, having spotted Garret. "No, no! He's with me! Captain Garret here helped me escape!" Garret saluted to Jak, who saluted back. To my amusement, Mike saluted also. Everyone laughed at him. "What did I do?" he whined. He crossed his arms and huffed. "I don't see what's so funny..."

"Oh, Michael!" I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed as hard as I could. My powers were also good for super hugs. "Jor-dan,choking... Can't... BREATHE!" He shoved me away and rubbd his neck. I smiled sweetly and twisted back and forth on my ankle. "Oopsy!" Jak walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Trust me, right now, you're anything but cute!"

"Oh, well," I sighed, and sat down on the bar. "I say we have a party!" Daxter shouted. "In honor of our new friends."

"Sounds good to me," said Ashlynn. Yeah, I'll bet. "Oh, yeah!" yelled Michael! He reached for his bag and pulled out his CD player and slipped in a Green Day CD. "I love them!" This was the first time in weeks that I'd actually summoned the strength to raise my voice. Unfortunatly, that was the last of my energy. I collapsed to the floor. Before I hit, Jak caught me. "Why don't we party tomorrow night?" he suggested. Bless you, Jak... "Sounds good to me." And I fell asleep right then and there. The only thing I remember was the sound of Daxter laughing before I was completely out cold... Again.

(Hold on for the next chappie!)