Alex, and Abigail, however laid in bed, and slept comfortably. They both slept, soundly, as Alex didn't have any more discomforts the rest of the evening. Her eyes did open, though, and she did sit up, in a cold sweat. Looking around, she figured not be too loud, as she would wake Abigail. It was dark in Sector V, as she glanced around Abby's room. odd encounters she had over the past couple of days. What was originally supposed to be,... a nice play couple of days with Kuki, and some friends down the road, had formed itself into a huge, weird, big heaping mess. How was she going to cool off after experiencing all of this? How was she ever going to look at Kuki the same after this?
Was life ever going to return to normal? What exactly was normal? Nothing Alex, or I dear reader, have experienced in the past month. For Alex, no one in this family. Would she ever make up the fun day she had planned with Kuki? Was she going to make it out of here? Not a chance. If she chose Kuki as a friend, and didn't know she was a secret agent for an organization run by kids, that opposed adults, that was on her. She knew that Kuki was just as "kooky", as the rest of them. To mention, however, she was just as scandalous and analytical regarding her, as they were. She eventually just buried her head in her hands, and sat there. The stars sat up there.
Eventually, she lifted her head, smiling a knowing smile. This smile trickled and fizzled eventually becoming laughter. She then laughed, and buried her head doing so. The truth was imminent. Life was a bit chaotic at times, people were shady, but it didn't matter to her any. She had finally learned to accept it. Feeling about all sorts of gratitude, and understanding, she lifted her head to the now, navy blue, black sky, looking around. She had felt all alone, but it was fine. She had now felt, and known that the KND, even if they were a bit, suspicious, and passive, at times they were there for her. She then looked up singing, softly. It was the 2nd of her talents. She liked singing when she was alone, at times, and at night, even, she would sing upstairs when she was happy.
Her parents did have to tell her once or twice to cut it out, although they liked hearing her sing. They knew she had an abundant amount of talent. "Oh,". she said softly. "Oh dear". It is then and there, she sang, in a cute, soft voice, that helped her when she was sad.
"How I miss you".
"Count the stars"
"Shining brightly there".
"I have seen them far away, yet still they shine brightly here"
"You know no matter how far away you are… I'm always right beside you..
Or I'll be blue.
Black Bird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly…
All your life… you have only been waiting for this moment to arrive.
"We're not that perfect"
"Yes, we fight"
"Scream when we don't get our way".
"I feel like our friendship has its meaning but it's preening, why do I feel like I want to stay?"
5x Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly…
All your life… you have only been waiting for this moment to arrive"
"Blackbird Fly" "Blackbird fly"
"I know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you"
"Though I must say, these Kids are a pain"
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly"
"All your life you have only been waiting for this moment to...arrive"
"Blackbird fly"
"Blackbird fly"
It was then, that she became one with the stars above. It seemed with every gliding moment, and every passing second she had felt confidence within herself rising. It seemed as if her worries dwindled and her nervous heart was calmed. She finally felt relieved. She felt happy, and let the stars, surround her and build her a big bridge it seemed to the land of true serenity. She was laughing, and playing, as the stars seemed to be tickling her face. A wide laughing smile was on her face, as she held the stars, and the radiating pink, blue, and orange light was seen shining against her face. "Hey there, girl". Alex turned around to see a clump of stars, a clump of magnificent colored jewels, painted decadently to shine a faded pink, blue, even purple. This wonderous group of stars seemed to move about quickly to fit the shape of a girl. A strong girl, a beautiful girl, that had been lightly threaded by these stars.
Her prominent features, including her hat, and her long skinny body, remained. Her brown skin shimmered as these jewels glimmered throughout. Her thick lips shimmered a faded pink color. Alex knew who was standing behind her. Or at least her gentle comforting smile. "What are you doin?". The girl comprised of stars asked, smiling a knowing smile.
"Um…. I'm calculating the velocity of rolling objects to see…". "Mmmm, you look like you're making trouble". "Let Numbuh 5 make trouble wit ya". She snuck up behind Alex hugging her as Alex giggled. A ball with stars on it, rolled towards Alex, as she let the stars touch her face. "Mmmm, my little baby girl". Abigail leaned back, cooly. Her legs were outward, as she placed her hands behind her head. "You see… everybody's breakin' up, and throwin' their love away". "But you're still my special lady". "I must stickwitu". "I know". Alex said, feeling the comforting embrace of the stars.
Another shape comprised of baby blue, puffy, stars that seemed to be moving rather quickly, up, down, all around, playing, as it were, comprised to make another distinctive shape. Hoagie then appeared, making a face, sticking out his tongue, before smiling at Alex, giving her a hug. "Don't worry young sheep, things will get baaaaa'ter". Alex laughed as she gave this composition of light a hug. A green composition of light joined Alex. it had flowed, and sparkled and wrapped around Alex, hugging her, tickling her face, as to be kissing her.
The trail of light flowed downward, into hair, while a nicely formed tan color appeared. Kuki, it looked like, had arrived as well, kissing Alex repeatedly. A soft whisper, merely a whisper, "I love you", rang in Alex's ear, as this unique light, held Alex close, tickling her, and shining brightly. Soon, a radiant beam of orange appeared, as the threaded image of Wallabee threw light about, shining in Alex's ear, and all around her face.
Then, a big beam, a large beam of red appeared, the thousands of jewels and stars formed to create a great image of Nigel, standing there in front of her. "You're a great girl". "Don't you forget that". A deep voice rang in her ear. He then had every other member, every compilation of stars of each color, build a bridge that would lead her back to her porch. It seemed, then and there, through the glitter and gleam of the night, she could see all of Sector V through the stars. Looking down at her, each with their own unique shimmer and gleam that hugged the night sky. Each member wrapped their own shimmer around Alex, as strong built confidence arose in her the way light would build up, and make bright a darkened tunnel. With this starlight, all pink, blue, orange, red, green, and white, she was able to flow, and fly freely among the night sky. The starlight, each with the different glitters, tickling her face, hugged her tightly, giving her the innate confidence she needed, the strength she needed, to do anything. She could even envision herself getting some much needed sleep.
As confidence, and happiness built within her, she could feel the stars, the light trickling her face once again. The thousands of stars, the countless amounts of jewels, and the flow of newfound trust, surrounded her, hugging her until she felt relaxed. The stars, the shapes, and the forms of Sector V, had all bunched around her, giving her a family hug. She laughed, smiled happily. These goofballs, these kids, Sector V was her family. They may not have been perfect, they may not have been, what one would call, "kind", but they were still her friends. Right now, they were looking to help her, they were looking to protect her, they were looking out for her. They did it in a weird way that involved supercomputers, and robotic Rainbow Monkeys, not to mention her sleeping medicine. They did have her best interests at heart. They cared about her, as true friends should. What was she worried about?
All the Kids Next Door were doing, were being themselves. Secret agents, high tech computers, Decommissioning; this was part of what they did. This was who they were. Alex felt accepting of it. She was ok with it. Albeit, she really did have no idea Abby was a secret agent. Of all the years they had been together hanging out, having dinner with each other's families, and looking out for one another, she hadn't thought once about Abigail being an agent. She could've imagined it though, with how talented, and multi-oriented Abby was, she could see her taking on any amount of force from villainous organizations, and still having time to do her homework, or walk the dog.
Girls as ambitious and skilled as Abigail could be seen as agents in any realm of life. A secret agent who fought the most deplorable of masterminds, and dangerous of criminals, and was still able to maintain a big sisterly realm of influence was the coolest thing in Alex's book. Alex looked up to girls like Abby, and Kuki, and did whatever she needed to do, to keep in great moral accountability with them. She loved the Kids Next Door, and as of right now, held great trust in them.
Closing her eyes, she felt much, much better, and she had known it. Opening her eyes, she had seen the stars above had disappeared back under the clouds, and the darkness remained. It had all been part of a weird little visual of hers. Yawning, she got up from the porch chair, putting her tiny, underdeveloped hands on the door to open it. After getting it opened, she went in, getting ready to go back to bed. "You know…". She thought, as she wandered into the kitchen area, near the dim light had by the computer. "Drinking, "Dean's" milk isn't so bad after all". She then got into the fridge and poured herself a glass. A guttural growl was heard far away. "Mm". It sounded very low and masculine. "Oh-k". Alex said, unsurely. She then got her glass of milk went to bed. Little white stain was left on the side of the glass, as she drank from it, already. Cute little Alex went into Abby's room and put her milk glass down. "Mm". The noise was heard again, this time from another room. Going into the other room, she drank her milk. Innocently. Her big eyes, her eyes had identified her as a trier, a girl who needed love, desperately.
"Umm, I uh". She said, unsure. "mm". The low groaning continued. Alex turned her head, she turned her head, which if she were still 18 months old, when her parents got her, that would've been a victory. "Um". She drank her milk, from an open glass. "Um, do you know where Abby is?". She asked, the groaning still continued. "Ey, come mere' lil baby". She got up to hear whose voice was calling her. "Um… I'm ok, I'm ok, do you know where Abby is?". "Mm, who's Abby, my lil baby roo". "Come over here and gip me a li'l bum, bum". "...Wallace". "Um, ok". Alex said. Going over she saw Wally sprawled out all over the bed. Instead of his usual orange shirt, and blue jeans that had been, "kissed up" by Kuki, on their little date, he lay shirtless, on his bed, on top of disheveled, messed up sheets. His blue pants were still there, as he stared up at Alex, sympathetically, yet excitedly. "Ohhhhhhhhhh, you're such a great girl". He said, a little disoriented. "Ei, ye sooooooooo, pret-ty". "You're so… love". He let his large back hand brush her face. "Ess you areeeeeeeeee". "Can I go now?". Alex asked. "Don't worry bum bum". Wallabee looked up at her. "Don't worry none". "You know, Kuki will be back ere soon, and she'll give ya the suga". "You know what". He said, in a semi, soft whisper that sounded calming, convincing, with a twinge of rustling, and "prsss", from the blankets. Emphasis was placed on the "t" sound of the T. "you're mummy, and daddy, they are probably in your house, your mummy, is in the house, waitin for ya, to come see er". "My…. mom?". Alex asked. "Mm hmmm". Wally nodded. "Your birth mum". He said, very matter of fact. "Oh-k". "Good to know". Alex said, "I'm just going to go". "Wait, loooooove". He said in a very deep, and suave manner. "Looooooove". He hung onto the v in love. His large backhand swiped against her shirt and her stomach. "Don't go yet". "We still have lots to do". He cracked a mischievous smile. "Lots and lots to do". "So tell me, buppy, are you here for business…..?"."or pleasure"? He sighed. Alex uncomfortably got down from his bed, and began heading outside. "Your birth mother loved you a lot, didn't she?". Wally asked. "Yes, she sure did". She got her milk glass. "Mmmmm, "Mate".
He whispered, passive aggressively. Emphasis was placed on the "T" in "mate". She began to head out before Wally began groveling. "No, no, no, love". He said, softly. "Your my buppy". "Stay…please stay". He begged softly. "There, there, siddown lil girl". He pulled at her shirt. "Let's talk". "How are ye?". "You still do math?". He asked, slurred. "yeah". she turned her head. "Can I go?". She asked, becoming a bit weirded out. Above her, she saw, in the sliver of light she got from the blue dot on Wally's gaming system, a bit of blue jean from Wally's pants. His nipples also were shown. She drank the last part of her milk, innocently, as she yawned. Reaching over, Wally took her glass, trying a sip of her milk, lapping it on his tongue a bit. Looking up, puzzled at her, the milk dribbled from his mouth back into the glass. "I'll have that back". She took her glass away, beginning to get anxious again, now. "Ey, ey, you're my buppy, buppies stay togetha". "You and I will… he turned over, as he stretched his neck to see her. "Buppie stay togetha, you my buppy, buppy, buppy, buppy boo". "I wuv wu". He became woozy. "Wally,". Alex said, a little more anxious, "I have to go". "You're drunk". She said, strictly. "What no, no no, you're my Rainbow Monkey…. Best friennnnnd". He said, in a deep sonorous, relaxed, drunken tone. "Lessss sit back, enjoy looooooooove". "You, me, Kuki, a big happy family, in our house". He said, gently. "I hope you like it, it's all yours". "All for my best friend".
"And baby". He said, drunkenly. "Go to bed". Alexandria said, strictly. "Oh my word". "First I can't sleep, then the schedule goes awry, now this". "Well you know what?". "I'm not doing it anymore, I quit". "Nigel will be fuming". She said, grabbing her stuff. "Oh look, there's a veteran". "I'll bet he has some interesting stories". He sighed, drunken, just saying things at this point. "Look, there's merry old Rainbow Monkey". "All for my lad". He leaned in a bit more to where he was now an inch away from her face. "Alex, such a beautiful young name, for a beautiful young love". "You are so lucky to be here with me, and Kuki, and all a ye family". "We're so lucky to have you here too" he said in low, relaxed voice. "I looove you most". He winked at her, while a cool, open mouthed, plain expression remained on his face, behind his thin lips. "My li'l cuckoo burrow". He said, with an Australian twang. "Oh, buppy". He said, woozily.
"There's lollipops, and pies, and soda,... and….caramel". He said in a low voice. "Cookies will be here". He said, placing his hand behind his head. His body arched up a little. "Lemonade, iced cream, soda pop". He said, woozily. "Moon pie, spaghetti, buppy boo, chips and dip, ketchup, and mustard, boopy ooo, all for my…. Sugarpoo". He said, as his head fell over the edge of his bed. "Boopy, boop". "You're drunk". Alex said, getting up, getting ready to leave. "No… my best buppy's leavin".. He said, woozily. "My best friend". His body arched up. "No, please, stay for some oooo". "I'm out of here". Alex said. "If ye are goin….". His neck stretched out again. "Just remembuh.., augh! Augh!". He then began dry heaving. Ducking out of the way, Alex knew exactly what was happening. "Buppy, I love your way, and I will always love ye". He said. "Flattery will get you nowhere". Alex said, strictly. "Come on, you're going into the bathroom". "To pee pee n' go poo poo, in potty poo poo?".
Alex could see his lips moving along exactly to the immature thing he was saying. Alex could then see his face turning green as he continued slurring his words. "He's a lost cause". She said, shaking her head. "Alex…". He said in a deep voice. "I love you, and you know I'll always be here for ye". He turned his head, speaking to her. "You're my best friend". "Mate". He then whispered in her ear. "Ok, thank you… but… I need to go….". She said. "Ok, I respect that". Wally said. "Hey, ye want to know a secret?". He said softly. "Sure". She said. "Something nobody knows". He said. "Ok, what did you do?". Alex asked. It was then that he leaned in to whisper in her ear, and then recoiled back…. As if in fear. "Oh…". he said, recoiling from Alex, quickly. "What are you doing?". She asked seeing this backing up motion. Unable to speak, unable to do anything, he held his mouth still, as his face turned green. A sickly face was made as he "hffmed" quickly. "What's wrong?". Alex asked, in a serious tone. Leaning over the side, his face contorted into a sickly shape. No words came from him, only a series of loud… "HRMMMF!". "HRRRRMMMF!". "HRRRMMF!". "HRRRRMMMMM!". He noised. "What's wrong, Wally?". Alex snapped now. "HRMMMMM!". "HRRMMMMM!". All of a sudden…
SPLASH!
Alex looked up, scared, to see a dry heaving Wally Beatles with a face as red as a tomato. Pointing downward, with a frozen face, he had Alex glance down to see a green and mud brown pile of back whip. No, it was a classic pile of vomit. As A frozen faced Wallace pointed below him again, Alex could see it was on her foot. An embarrassed and stunned Wally looked innocently, and shamefully at the pile as he slunk away. Alex, on the other hand, wasn't taking it so lightly. "Oh dear". She said, as her heart started beating rapidly. "Oh dear, oh dear". She said, tensing up her muscles. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear". She began panicking. She then felt the clump move, as Wally got it off of her foot. She got up, and bolted out of Wally's room, quickly. "GERM ALERT!". She screamed. "BIOHAZARD, BIOHAZARD, BIOHAZARD!'. "EXIT THE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY!". She yelled. "I need, I need a hazmat suit now!". "No, no no, no, no no, no!". She said, fearfully. "C'mon!". "C'mon!". She searched the labs with haste. "There has to be some, radium ultra dioxide in here, somewhere!". She searched, throwing stuff around, getting stuff everywhere, and making a mess. "Come on!". Alex yelled. "Why did it have to be today?".
"Why did I have to get puked on by Wally Beatles!". She yelled. "Ok,". a voice behind her said. "What is going on out here?!". Alex spun around to see Abigail standing there, indeed not too happy about what just occurred. Now it Alex's turn to slink away in fear. "Um…. ok, well, you see Wally has to be the most incumbent person in the world, he made sissy all over my foot!". Abigail tapped her foot impatiently. "Why aren't you in bed?". She asked, in a serious, I'm-not-playing-around tone. "I tried to preserve the sanctum of my spare area, although Wallbee was in it, groaning and puking, he had way too many cheese puffs, he's allotted!". Alex said, angrily. "Ok, you need to calm down". Abigail said
Put this stuff back in its bin!". She said, harshly. Abigail then took Alex's hand, leading her out of the labs. "Let's go.". She said flatly. They then went back into Wally's room, where the light was then turned on. The other kids stood in there, holding their noses. "This where it happened?". Abigail asked. Alex nodded, shooting a mean look at Wally. "Oh my gosh, Wallace, are you serious?". Hoagie scolded him. "Well, ey it wasn't my fault, they had a two for one deal at sprinkle puff, I wasn't goin to miss". Wally grumbled. "I don't care". Abigail said. "I know you, Numbuh 4". She snapped. "You just had to take all that soda, didn't you?". She interrogated. "Ey listen, when you get a coupon for $8.99, you'd go crazy too!". He snapped back. "I as way unde budget!". "I needed it, I on't care!". He snarled. "You don't even use coupons!". Hoagie snapped in. "you take 2 things from the shelves, and pay with a $100.00 bill!". "I've seen you do it!". "Yes, and being inconsiderate of other operative's food supply, what message does that send?".
Hoagie asked, continuing the argument. "I on't care!". "And bringing Alex into it, what message does that send?". Hoagie leaned in close to Wallabee's face. "Ey!". Wallabee said, scowling. "She was my wubby, we had fun!!". He snapped. "Yes, that is inconsiderate use of grocery material". Alex said. "I got this from Lime Ricky's, for your information!". Wally retorted. "I snuck out some soda, it was good". He said, turning around. "Mmmm k, we can keep arguing, or we can get back on track here, quit acting like the idiots we claim to be above, and clean this mess up!". "You clean it up!". Wallabee snapped. "I am not cleaning this mess up, it is yours". Abigail said, standing with a hand on her hip. "When you all learn to take things a little more, seriously, then we'll talk". She then panned his room, looking for what things had throw-up on them, exactly. "Where's your shirt?". She asked, casually. "Over here". Making a face, Hoagie pointed to the orange T-shirt that had sat in a puddle of brown vomit. "This room smells like a dead bird had babies in here".
"Mmm k, sit down, and quit crowding around it". Abigail directed the other operatives out. A certain bald-headed Brit came in, stoically, standing behind Wally. "What?". "It's not like I ate 34 buh million cheese puffs to go along with it". "You did". Hoagie reminded. Hoagie stood with a flat expression on his face. "What? Do I got crumbs on me, too?". Wallabee asked. "Don't look now". Hoagie said. "Oh what is this…..?". Turning around, Wally saw the sheer sight of impending terror looming over him. With his sunglasses on, legs apart, arms crossed, and a no-nonsense-whatsoever look on his face, Nigel towered over him.
With an innocent look of guilt, similar to how a three year old would look if they dropped one in their pants, Wally looked up at Nigel. "Cuckoo Burrow?". He said, innocently. Nigel still stood there, sternly. Wally still looked, cluelessly up at him. "So, you wouldn't believe what this idiot did". Abigail grabbed Wally's elbow, pulling him up, quickly. "He decided it would be exciting to steal soda from "Lime Ricky's", and see just how much he could drink in one night". "Wally is this true?". Kuki asked, from afar. He nodded, then slumped his shoulders down in a downtrodden fashion. "Aye". he squeaked. "Clean it up". Nigel said, flatly. Bouncing along, as he went, Wally made off to get the cleaning supplies from the closet by the lab's secret entrance. "As for the rest of you, there will be no more unsolicited activity prevalent with "Lime Ricky's". He said, in a harsh tone. "Unless enacted by Numbuh 2". His business demeanor came into play, Alex noticed. "It is of free exercise we manage the right to drink soda, when and how we choose". Nigel continued. "However, we cannot steal". "Stealing, and overconsumption is against the law, as well as against everything Kids Next Door represents". "I cannot have our good name and reputation tarnished, simply because someone did not follow the rules, properly". He raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry to say". "Please pay for your soda order, and abide by the rules listed". He said, harshly. "It's the law". "We are an organization centered around Kids' freedoms, not illegal activity". "Now, clean this up, and off to bed". He warned. "Off to bed". He snapped. The other operatives left the room, quietly, while Hoagie made a frightened face. "Ugh!". He said, in an aside to Kuki and Abby. "I wouldn't want to get on his bad side".
While the room cleared out, Alex was left there, looking at Nigel. He glanced up at her, walking, clicking out with his boots. "I can't believe those wankers". He shook his head. "I let them join, and have residency here". He closed Wally's door. "Yes, you should enact a much more thorough background checking process". Alex said, back in her proper, matter-of-fact state of being. "We really should". Nigel said. A twinge of his deep, tired voice came into play with his tone. "While they do make skilled fighters, medical experts, and data savants, they still conduct themselves at the utmost horrendous of professionalism". "I'd hire a training coach". Alex said. "Hmmm". A smile cornered Nigel's upper lip. "I should have made you second in command". He nodded to her.
She nodded back. Both with knowing, subtle smiles. "I do love rules, and regulations". Alex continued. "While I do enjoy a great termination of employees, I think it would be easier to go over all 456 rules and regulations of the KND, as well as attend a seminar on professional behavior in the workplace". Nigel looked away from her. Wondering why he didn't acknowledge her there, she looked down at the floor. "Alex", Nigel's soft British voice came into play. She turned her head at the sound of his voice. "Did you remember to take your medication, yet?".
He was faintly seen under the dim red light of the computer. "Um… um… uh,". Alex grew nervous, "I…. I…. I…". "before you went to bed". Nigel nudged gently. "Yes". she lied. "Yes I did". "Good". Nigel said gently, and softly. "Is everything going well with your medicine?". Nigel asked, casually and politely again, as she tried to sneak off. "Yes". she said, still attempting to sneak off. "Have you been taking it regularly?". Nigel continued to ask. "Yes,". She said again, this time wanting to get away quickly. "And how have your experiences been?". He asked gently. "Have they been good, are you getting the sleep you need?". Rolling her eyes, and backing up a couple of steps, she now knew she wasn't going to dodge any more of Nigel's questions. She also knew that while she hadn't been taking her medication due to the amount of crazy nightmares involving the Splinter Cell, and some alien entity somewhere, Nigel hadn't been asking about her goings on for a while.
So, she fabricated a very detailed, and intricate lie. Something she hadn't done, ever. Well, she had done it for purposes alluding to craftily ousting her sister, and some of her neighborhood friends at games, and winning most of the time, although she had never done it to be deliberately dishonest toward a person. But she felt as if she needed to. She knew she was never going to take anything, or do anything that would harm her, or disrupt her well-being for anyone.
While she was a connoisseur for written rules and regulations, standing up for her truths and beliefs, she felt was more important. "Well, the medication has certainly eliminated all of my nightmares, and has made for a much better, and well rested night's sleep". She said, properly. "I'm very glad to have all of the resources there and handy in case I would ever need them at any point". "Thank you, Nigel for all of the sacrifices you've made on your behalf". She said. Smiling gently down at her, Nigel chuckled a bit. "You really are a carbon copy of me". He said softly. "I should make you second in command". He winked at her. "Alex, there is nothing more important to us than your well- being". He said. "Please, if there's anything else you would like, enlighten me". "Ok". she said. "Glad I could help". He nodded to her, before going in his room. "Goodnight, Alexandria". He said, in a thick, British, accent. "Goodnight Nigel". "Um… I'll see you tomorrow". She said. "I'll see you soon, Alexandria". Nigel said in a soft voice. "Until then?". "Until then". She replied. "Goodnight". "Goodnight". Nigel smiled, disappearing into his room. Alex stood silently for a moment. She was in minor disbelief that she would lie to Nigel, lie to anyone for that matter. But standing up for her beliefs meant she had to do the wrong things sometimes.
She had just stood up to the one person, she felt gravely unnerved around at one point, Nigel. Other than that, she stopped to think about all the wonderful times she had so far with the Kids Next Door. she thought about Kuki and the Rainbow Monkeys, her special talk with Abigail laying in her bed, and finally, Wally throwing up all over her feet. If she were to stop and think about it, and be honest with herself, which she usually was, she thought, they truly were good friends. They weren't only kids she knew fairly well, who were trying to help her out a little, even if she already was uniquely oriented with navigating the world, they were her friends. She did infer that, on a deeper level, maybe they did feel bad for her, and were trying to help her. Perhaps they were examining her to make sure that she was doing ok, and to help her prepare for later on. Either way, they didn't need to worry about her, she was going to be fine. She had been self -sufficient, and a strong, independent woman her entire life.
She knew it was great having amazing friends there she could count on, but they didn't need to worry, she would be alright. These kids were also quite the goofballs, and while they did take their work seriously, they also knew how to make Alexandria laugh. Wally throwing up, and getting yelled at by Hoagie for taking 2 mini candy bars in the checkout line, and paying with them with a $100.00 bill, hilarious! Abigail yelling at her dad for embarrassing her at Maurice's….classic? Kuki making love to her boyfriend, and using nonsense words such as, "wubby", "wuv", "boopy", and "cuddle bug", that was pretty good. And Alex couldn't forget Hoagie talking to her in a bunch of different silly accents, while being soothing. She would always sit back, thinking about that, and laugh. She knew her time there may've been as chaotic and just plain… suspicious, but she knew it was all worth it, and that so far, there were times that made her laugh. She loved the Kids Next Door, not just as friends, and family, but as surefire comedians whose reckless behavior made her laugh when things were about to fall apart. Putting her milk glass in the sink, she made her way to Abby's room, and laid down in her bed. As she closed her eyes, and felt the warm embrace of sleep come to her, she knew things would be alright.
She knew the Kids Next Door were for her. She knew she had nothing to worry about. Now as the main area, the main quarters of Sector V, including the game room, the kitchen, and the porch seemed curled up for the night, no one and nothing made a sound out there. Everything seemed quiet, and everyone seemed to be ready for bedtime, and ready for sleep. Alex was tired, although she was enthused that things were going to develop and get better for her, and her relationship with those pesky Kids Next Door.
The paneling on the wooden wall by the rump of dirty laundry was worn, wet and moist from all of the laundry those pesky kids put over there, although the knowledge of it being the secret entrance to the Sector V Research Database was little to none with some of the adult, even adult villains of Sector V. though it sat getting more worn, and more moist with the piles and piles of dirty laundry that was there, one could easily visualize, and just think about what was behind the wood paneling. The paneling that had opened up when Numbuh 2 went back there had a secret hallway behind it, that was long and dark. Silver, ultra grade floors lined the sides, and below this hallway. Through two other double doors, a long, hallway with runway lighting, and plush black cushioned flooring was there too.
The large computer where Hoagie entered in data was seen. The screen was off, and everything was working at an optimum level. The room, seemed empty and quiet, with a small white dot, over in the corner as part of the runway lighting. This white light shone lighting up a small sliver of the great tech, and research database. A blue, shimmering glow was seen as a message appeared on the supercomputer's screen. "Nigel...Uno". the computer read mechanically.
The screen then automatically had a simple, white dialog box, with blue stripe at the top, an, "ok" box at the bottom, and a message that read in simple lowercase.… "valid". Valid? What could've been valid? Perhaps the data Hoagie entered in earlier was seen as valid. "Valid". What did "valid" mean? Maybe the computer was running a diagnostics briefing, and had cleared its security parameters. "Valid" could've been the message it received for clearance. "Valid". The word seemed simple and easy for the common computer user to click out of, although, as simple as this message, with its simple dialog box, was, the reader had to look at it, carefully, "valid". Akin to some other pop up, dialog boxes on computer windows, clicking "ok", or "confirm" would alter the state of the entire network if the user had no idea what he or she was doing. While the computer went into it's sleep mode, the dialog box still remained with it's complex message, "valid".
Back outside of the wood paneling, by the pile of dirty clothes, Abigail had put the cleaning supplies back in the closet by where Alex had rummaged through everything. Then, washing Alex's glass and putting it in the dishwasher, quickly, she went outside, and sucked on a lollipop. She stood out there, leaning against the wall, coolly as she did so. Taking a deep breath, she put her hands behind her head, taking a few moments to herself. "Mm". She sighed, a light, yet loud feminine, sigh. She sucked on her pop for a moment, before changing her position, and bringing her leg up to the wall. While relaxing, another thought had occurred to her. "So….?". Abigail remained in her cool persona, "my girl likes this milk, then, huh?". "Numbuh 5 might just have to try some". She said to herself. Breaking away from her "cool" stance, she went inside. Opening the sliding door, and clicking it locked, she glanced around to make sure nothing else needed picked up, or put away. After scanning the area, she went over to the fridge, taking out a small carton of, "Dean's" milk. "Mm, this is what my girl likes". She mumbled. "Let's just try some, why don't we?". Opening the carton, she tasted it. Her lips curled into a smile. "Mm, pretty cool". "Mm, I like it". She said, as her cool, under-the-hat smile remained. "Alex will be pleased". She mumbled, hmmm, maybe that'll get her to start drinkin' it". She mumbled to herself.
She then tucked her milk carton into one of her shirt pockets, taking it into her room. Opening the door quietly, she saw little Alex in the sliver of light that had remained, little Alex, fast asleep on the other side of the bed. Her younger sister, it seemed, her mentee. Her lips once curled into a smile, as she snuck in. using the sliver of light, she changed out of her dress shirt, and short shorts. Fearing that going through the drawers would be too noisy and quite inconsiderate of her sleeping mentee, she could now be seen only in her bra. The sliver of light shown on her as she leaned against the wood bolster to the door. Seeing her idol, it seemed, and her mentor, of sorts, up and moving, Alex opened her eyes a little, (she did this out of apprehension toward having another nightmare), to see Abigail, standing in the light, with nothing but her bra on.
About to say something, or acknowledge her presence, Alex readied herself to sit up, only for Abigail to put her finger to her lips. "Shh". She whispered. "Lay back down, baby girl". She instructed gently. "Lay down". She instructed again. Alex did so. Numbuh 5 changed into a pajama tank top, flopping onto her bed next to Alex. "um". Alex lifted her head a little bit. "I love you, Abby". She said. "Gh". Abby's hand flopped back onto the pillow she laid her head on.
"I love ya too, Al". she said. "Now get some sleep, ok?". "Ok". Alex said, faintly. "Goodnight". "Goodnight, baby girl". Abby said, gently. "See you tomorrow". "Bright an' early in the mornin". "For some breakfast". She said, chuckling a bit. "Of course, I don't believe in overconsumption that early, but have what you will". Alex tried to play along. "Mm, go to sleep, Al". Abby said, mumbling a bit. "Ok". " I love you Abby". Alex said. "Mm, love you too, Al". "Goodnight Abby". Alex said. There was no response for half a minute, until, smiling as she hugged her pillow, Abigail whispered, "Goodnight Alex". "I love you". It seemed this statement in all of its entirety was true. She truly was the one, out of all of them, who loved Alex the most. She then sighed, one more time, before laying down, and falling asleep. It seemed the treehouse, the town, everyone seemed to be at peace, finally. Yes, it was a nice, peaceful, sleep. If by perchance, dear reader, you find yourself to be reading this article at a late time of the night, you might, or at very least, you should, be losing...consciousness...any...time...now.