He was bent over her, his muscles stretching across his arms and back. He licked her like a cat and she purred. But something was wrong. The pit in her stomach was beginning to twist and swell into a monster of its own. She tried to struggle but her body felt heavy and immovable. Roan looked up at her, grinning and a forked tongue slithered out between his teeth. She was scared. She wanted to run but there was some stronger will that kept her down. She was sinking lower. As she felt her chest collapse from the sheer force of it all, she was stung by a pinprick of light. She wanted someone, she wanted to run to him. But she couldn't remember who. She searched her mind but it refused to move, as if the gears had rusted together. And she was sinking, sinking.

Ugly awoke in the clench of an icy cold sweat. She was in dark and shadowy room, and she curled in on herself fearfully. After a few panicked moments, her breathing calmed and she realized she was in her own bedroom. Suddenly, she heard movement coming from the left corner. She slipped her fingers under her chemise and slid her knife out of its garter holder with sweaty fingers.A figure rose from the shadows and Ugly held her knife out with a shaky hand.

"Put that thing down, you're gonna hurt yourself," a soft, southern-inflected voice whispered. Kyro sat down on the bed next to her and carefully slid the knife out of her fingers. Ugly let him. Her body began to shake. He looked at her, his yellow eyes soft with concern. He put a hand on her vibrating shoulder and the echoes of her shivers traveled up his arm. He looked at her in way that clearly asked, "what's wrong?"

"I hate my life. I hate you. I hate Roan. I just want a nice boy, a good boy," Ugly poured out pathetically.

Kyro gave her a sharp look and sighed. "When are you going to understand that there are no nice boys"-

"Yes there are!" Ugly cried out. Why did talking to Kyro make he feel like a two year old? He was so "wise" and self-important. And Roan, too. They sat around smoking and tripping all day, and apparently that qualified them as fucking geniuses. And she just there stupid little girl sidekick, who still believed in unicorns.

"Like who?" Kyro demanded, challenging her with his amber eyes. Ugly nearly spoke the name that had rested quietly on her lips since yesterday afternoon. Fortunately, she stopped herself just in time and looked away. She could still feel the remains of the kiss camped out on her lips. She pushed her upper and lower lips together; she wasn't ready to lose them. Kyro's eyes narrowed suspiciously and Ugly felt her insides cower at his penetrating gaze. What if he really did know everything?

Ugly sat on the edge of her bed, eyes trained to the wall, challenging Kyro to speak so she could blatantly ignore him. He could go live in his colorless world, where everyone was a disciple of the devil and whoever did it best was permitted to impart his superior wisdom on to lesser beings. She knew better. The promise of the kiss rested on her lips like a song. She let it sing to her as Kyro rose and left without a word.

Kyro entered Roan's dim bedroom as the daylight began to trespass through the cracks in the shutters. Roan was carving the wooden handle of a blade, a cigarette dangling from his pouty lips. He looked up when Kyro entered and gave his classic grin, then returned to work. Kyro sat down on a chair and lit up. They sat in silence. Kyro couldn't help but feel a warm, peaceful sensation surround his heart. This was the closest to family he had ever come. And he hated to think that someday soon, it might just be two. The image of her pure face flashed through his mind. Her eyes, that tried so hard to be dark, but always shone with an innocent hope. Her quiet, virginal fear that lit her eyes when he tried to go too far on those many nights they'd kissed and caressed in her bed. If she left, who would kiss her then? Would he know to tread softly, even when she didn't? Would he love her for her innocence as well as her fear? Would her protect her and keep her in tact?

And what will I do when I can't? Kyro thought to himself. Kyro looked to Roan, who was bent over his work in deep concentration. "We're losing her," he mumbled, almost imperceptibly.

"I know," Roan breathed back.

Are there any nice boys? And, if so, where can I find them? Be specific.

Do drugs really make you wiser, or do they just make you think you're wiser?

Will Roan and Kyro let their sister in crime go without a fight?

Is Ugly justified in believing Spot is her saving angel? Would he look cute with a little pair of wings? Or just fruity?

Remember people, what goes around comes around, that's right people, karma. This may just be a rumor (or something vaguely resembling that devil-sent chain mail) but I've heard that people who review get all kinds of crazy good karma. I would tell you the story of my Aunt's Uncle's something or other several times removed (and once forcibly) and how after she reviewed a Star Wars-Breakfast a Tiffany's crossover and a week later mysteriously found buried treasure, but then I would be lying, and that might bring bad karma. Anyway, have a nice day! A bientot mes amis!