Nicole's eyes were sealed shut, her dreams were wracked with all matter of confusing and demented visions. Fueled by the lack of food and the rampant exhaustion plaguing her from the night previously, her body wanted to twist and turn but was locked in place. This entrapment made her inner psyche feel restricted and confined yet oddly comforted at times. After her eternity asleep and bath in her own nervous sweat, she awoke quite toasty.

She felt the nostalgia of being held in place by her mother, warm and comforting her when waking up after having nightmares as a child. The big and firm muscles surrounding her in a cuddle keeping the little chick safe in the hen's care. Sudden realization dawned on her that:

One, she was awake.

Two, she was nineteen and not that little girl anymore.

Three, this was a hotel room and not her own bed.

Four, these big arms were not her mothers.

In a slow and controlled motion, Nicole turned her head to face the owner of said strong protective arms wrapped around her. She saw the mess of black hair belonging to Diana waving down across her presumed sleeping face. A lock of hair billowed out on an exhale from the knocked out woman as Nicole blushed and snapped her head away from the face inches from hers.

Nicole: "Oh god, why did she have to be so strong?" She tries to wriggle her way out slowly but the arm across her chest draws Nicole back in reflexively. Now being spooned by the Amazonian, Nicole's face went bright red as the woman's shapely form was being intimately pressed against her back. A slight smile appeared on Nicole's face; "Well, I guess it's not soooooo bad." Right as she said that Diana let out another breath right into her involuntary cuddle buddy's turned face. An overpowering mixture of onions, garlic, and morning breath was belched right up into those sensitive nostrils.

Nicole coughed slightly and spasmed out of the last bit of grogginess left fogging over her mind. Her shaking stirring the sleeping bear behind her who shook their own body awake. Diana slowly cracks her own lethargic eyes open to find the wide eyed redhead staring into her own blue eyes.

Diana: "Good morning," She greets softly. The shock on the still silent Nicole's face still remains, Diana keeps up her unblinking stare. Realization and an audible; "Oooooh," signals the dawn of understanding from raven haired woman. "Sorry, we only had the two beds . . . and Amy hates sharing one so. . ." She sits up now, still stumbling over words, "And well. I. You, you were so cute and peaceful sleeping there. I mean. . . So I figured it couldn't hurt." She starts motioning her hands back and forth between them, "And I'm a natural hugger and must have hugged ya at night. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable or surprised you."

Nicole: Arms now crossed still laying there with a look of annoyance on her face, "Well, it wasn't that bad. . . Just highly unprofessional. Cannot tell her I; well, liked it or anything." She puts on a stern face and remarks while waggling a finger, "It was just very unprofessional was all. Don't let it happen again." Nicole now takes an upright seated position and fishes in her still worn pants for her phone, finding it missing she runs her hands around beneath the covers until the firm plastic edge knocks into her thumb. She flicks her passcode in and checks the time.

It's only 8:47, Diana is awake still sitting attentively awaiting further instructions and Amy was passed out soundly dreaming with a white feather blindfold over her eyes. Nicole double checked for any notifications and found none in whatsapp or her general texts.

Nicole: She looked at the patiently waiting woman crouched like a trained lap dog, "Guess we better get started then. I'll take a shower first I guess." She hopped off the bed and skipped two steps to the shower, "Make sure to wake her up eventually." The water rolled down fast and only took two seconds to have the warm flow kick in, "As expected at a five-star establishment." Nicole enjoyed the small bit of alone time and reflection under the stress melting water stream.

She finished up her lather and rinse and just stood in the calming waterfall for minutes on end. Just letting her mind clear while thousands of conversations ran in the background of her subconscious was enough. It was both a comforting and yet stressful experience in its own way. Finding the drive to finally exit, she steps onto the pristine pearl colored bathmat and dries herself off on the silky soft cream towels supplied by the hotel. Getting the last bit of moisture off her body, she takes up the hair dryer and blew the hot wind through her wet locks. Once the last of the moisture was evaporated, she holstered the dryer and put on the clothes she was wearing last night back feeling overall cleaner.

The freshly cleaned redhead left the bathroom's confines to see the ravenette dodging Amy wielding a brush full of rouge.

Diana: While affixing a bronze tie around her white button down collar, she bobbed and weaved from the stabbing makeup application device. "Give me a minute at least M," the knot was tightened and the woman gripped the navy blue suit jacket and swung it around onto her arms. The sleeves slid down and fittingly rested on the broad shoulders to become a near perfect glove on her torso. "There, if you're gonna be so insistent go ahead." The much taller woman sat down on the recliner and let the shorter girl jab and swipe the redness into her cheeks.

Amy: "I'm jealous of your face is all and want you to take care of it!" She huffs aloud as she finishes up the last bit the artificial blush application onto Diana's face. "There," Amy stands triumphantly at her minor touch up job making the already attractive woman even more so. Nicole's jaw drops physically just a tad and Amy laughs. "So, never did get to ask." She asks the pair coyly, "How was sleeping together?

Diana and Nicole locked eyes, the redhead's face blending into her hair while Diana just tilted her head.

Diana: "Was fine, kinda warm though. She made the cutest sounds though." This answer sent Amy into more laughs as she put her own suit jacket on over the gold tie and white dress shirt. Eyes opening to what she just spoke Diana retorted, "Oh you little git!" The two of them began to wrestle slightly while launching minor chides and insults.

Nicole: Still flustered she was trying to regain any semblance of professional composure. Once most of the red had left her burning cheeks she clapped and reiterated, "Okay ladies. We need to get to work." The bickering women quit their playful brawl and snapped to attention. "Since you two are our experts, what's the first step you do in a man hunt?

Amy: While Diana sat idle staring into space Amy paced back and forth biting her lip, "We need some clues. Did your mother mention where she was headed when they were attacked?"

Nicole: "Not that I can remember, No."

Amy: "Okay, any digital accessories? A smart watch, phone, laptop, radio?

Nicole: Shoveling through the small purse she withdraws a cell phone, "Yeah, I got her phone here." She hands it over to the blond.

Amy: Taking it in her palm she hits the power button, then returns it to Nicole to punch in the passcode. Four swift stabs of her fingers to input the code and Amy had the now unlocked item in hand. "Okay, let's see what we're working with." She starts flipping through the settings, "No GPS tracking application. No check-ins on Pinterest. Hmmmm." She swipes open Mitsuru's Google maps app and finds it only has two recent locations. "Bingo, Rolling Oaks Library est. 1844."

Diana: "Noice, lets gear up." She tosses one of the black bags from last night into Amy's waiting arms. "Oh, Nicole. Have you ever fired a pistol?"

Nicole: "I've taken a firearms safety course. Nothing too formal for training however, why?"

Diana: Diana launches an item at her, "Catch!" Nicole fumbles at the heavy small tan piece of metal and polymer. She now held in her hands a sizable pistol. "Don't worry, it's empty. Get a feel for it and practice your trigger discipline and muzzle awareness." She tossed the other much larger pack onto her own muscular back.

Amy: With outstretched hooked arms she addressed the two other women, "Shall we?" Diana interlocked her own arm joined at the elbows with her compatriot and both looked expectantly at Nicole.

Nicole: She looked the shorter blond up n' down then rolled her eyes and joined arms as well. "I guess we shall." She then took her non-locked arm and pointed straight out the door, "Onward! To the culprit!"

Amy: Making a loud whooping she dropped Diana's grip, "Now that's the spirit!" She tugs along Nicole as she skips down the hall to the stairs, the taller woman trailing behind. "Let's tag and bag these bastards and be back in time for dinner."

The trio navigated their way down the stairs and out towards the back to find a black hummer parked alone in a reserved spot. Diana hit a key fob and the back hatch rose up for her to toss the heavy backpack into the trunk. Amy chucked hers over into Diana's waiting outstretch hand, the smaller bag now resting atop it's bigger brother.

All three piled in, Diana driving with her platinum rated and haired co-pilot by her side. They were transporting precious cargo after all. Amy punched in the address retrieved from Mitsuru's phone into the built in dashboard GPS. The familiar voice of Siri rings out the first of many turns and they were off.

For such a rowdy duo, Nicole was surprised how reserved they were on the road. Diana came to a complete stop every time and neither got too heated at the old woman ahead of them driving ten under. It was a largely peaceful, silent drive. Minus the directions being called out and classic smooth jazz being played from Bluetooth of course.

During the time between, Nicole took the opportunity to refresh her pistol handling skills. Or rather lack thereof. She had the basics down of safety at least: Keep it down and on safe unless you wish to fire. Don't point it at anything you don't wish to shoot. Finger off the trigger unless you are ready to fire. Simple things, but having not handled a firearm in quite some time drilling over the core bits was rewarding in its own right.

Just as she was getting used to the weight, the looming decrepit visage of the town's library came into view. Holes caving in all over the roof from years of water damage was just the start to the decades of neglect. Most if not all the glass windows were shattered besides a large stained glass one on the side. The artwork inside a flaming torch wielding rider dressed in red; the words "Spreading Knowledge like a Fire at Night" embroidered beneath it.

The hummer drove into the overgrown parking lot alongside a lone white SUV standing in the field of grass and cracked pavement. Diana turns the keys and lets the engine die, Amy pops the center console and fishes out four slim and long black boxes and a harness. They both step out and Amy assists Nicole with her step down from the high truck.

Amy: "Okay darling, here are four magazines of seventeen 9 mil rounds. Load one into that pistol we gave you but do not put a round in the chamber unless we say so or you're in danger." She motions for Nicole to stretch her arms out. Nicole T-poses and the little blond slips a black shoulder holster onto her arms with three extra magazine pouches. "Understood?"

Nicole: "I. Uh– Yes, I understand." She carefully takes the magazines and loads up her weapon and mag pouches.

Amy works her way back around with Nicole to find Diana already halfway kitting herself out with a full tac-vest with multiple mag pouches and other containers affixed to it. Amy begins donning her own vest and loading up her ammo and gear. Both don black ball caps and a radio headset, they do a quick mic check. Each holster identical pistols in unison and draw their weapons: A tricked out AK style weapon for Diana and a MP7 for Amy. They both turn towards the side entrance that is hanging on its aged hinges and begin a cautious approach.

Amy: "You ready sport?" She waves behind to Nicole.

Nicole: Now jogging to catch up, "Yeah! Lead the way oh fearless leader."

Diana: "Oh Fearless Leader!? Hahaha, has a nice ring to it." Diana wastes no time once reaching the door, a swift kick separates the rotting hulk from its resting place and pivots in to the left. "Clear Left."

Amy: "Subtly Di, subtly." Amy swings right and travels along the wall scanning the room's shelves and destroyed VCR tapes. "Clear Right, and besides! She's the real boss now." Amy hooks her thumb in a fist and points to Nicole.

Diana: "True, true." The hallway has a sizable section missing from the floor so the party opts to open the other door leading off left of the room surrounded by piles of rotten tomes. "But come on, you do have a natural born leader's aura." She takes this door quietly by just opening it inward. "Clear Left"

Amy: She swings her submachine-gun's barrel across the new room and the debris inside as she enters, "Clear Right. Eh, maybe if someone put in a good word with the higher ups I could move up that ol' corporate ladder." Amy signals for them to take the next left in-between two large book cases.

Nicole: Still following behind and observing the snappy movements and clear communication, Nicole decides to chime in. "Ya know, I might be able butter you up to HR. And maybe, just maybe . . . see if a promotion could be in the works."

Amy: She chuckles a little, "Ya don't say Red. Listen to that Di, I think I just got my break!" She opens and enters the next door first. "Clear Right, and hello corner office; goodbye dingy libraries."

Diana: "Clear Le- wait I got something." She shuffles over and crouches down, a trickle of red blood is drying in a line coming from a beaten down door to the right side of the water logged shelves and books. She stands with eyes scanning forward through the breached door. "Someone was here before, door is smashed in. Looks like a large blunt force impact. And . . . Cold weather erosion?" She peers into the empty room beyond.

Nicole observes the handiwork done to the door, "Oh mom. Really needed to show off in front of Harriett that badly?" Amy follows up behind and all three enter the room. It was a dead end, only way out was back the way they came. Diana and Amy searched all around the completely empty room to find the start of the blood trail originating from the center of the room.

Nicole: However, she could see what the other two couldn't. A large black streak floating in the air. A slight wind blew from it that cut through her like a cold draft. "Guys, come over here." Both women stop their thorough investigation and rejoin their boss. "Do you guys trust me?"

Amy and Diana: Both nod in unison and agreement. "You're the boss, Nicole."

Nicole: "Then take my hand and be prepared for the biggest shock of your life." Diana instantly grips hold of her hand and after a second of hesitation Amy does so as well. Nicole takes a step into the rip gripping her partner's hands. A sucking sound emits from the point her chest made contact and her body felt, well, soupy.

All three had the unique sensation of being turned to liquid and drained through the small cut into the Dark Hour. Pain isn't the right word for the sensation, it was more of an unease and discomfort. It felt like they went down a child's slide as an adult but upside down and covered in butter. And the entire time something was licking their left foot.

Only a second later they landed ass first into the hardwood floor of the same room. The air felt crisp, the paint no longer stained or peeling, and the surfaces now devoid of moss or rot.

Amy: "What the fuck was that?!" She jumps up and checks herself all over, "God I need three or four hot showers after that."

Diana: "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Amy. . ." The ethereal glow surrounding most objects giving away that something was off indeed. "And I second the shower sentiment, yuck." She has a sizable shiver over take her in an effort to be rid of the uncomfort.

Nicole on the other hand was having a blast, testing out the lower gravity by doing a full backflip behind her compatriots and then punched a hole through the wall behind her. The wooden surface splintered under her Persona's added kick with a satisfying *Crack*. The loud noise interrupted the other two women's own wonderment to find Nicole fist deep in the wall.

Nicole withdrew a hand surrounded by a ring of shattered wall making a perfect donut of wood. She flexed her wrist out and it split into small pieces effortlessly.

Nicole: With a wild devilish grin she proclaimed to Diana and Amy with arms wide in a showman style display,

"Ladies, welcome to the Dark Hour!"

-Afterword-

Dang, I need sleep.

Pushing 33+ hours without it thanks to work.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and it makes sense despite my sleep depreived state. I wanted to make it longer but I think it's a good stopping point for now.

Not much in the terms of new plot mysteries but some questions have been answered, so that was nice to get down.

As always, here is some music:

The Hatters – No Rules (Russian Rock)

The White Stripes – Icky Thump (Rock)

Lemaitre – Rocket Girl, feat. Betty Who (Pop)

Maximum The Hormone – Rock 'n' Roll Chainsaw (Yes, It's a Yes song)he Hormone – Rock 'n' Chainsaw (Yes, It's a Yes song)/span/p