Chapter 26
This Is It
(Rosy POV)
As I fall onto Spiky's body, overwhelmed by the shock, I stiffen, as I feel a slight rise and fall in his chest, at the same time, hearing air hiss from his mouth weakly.
Drawing back wildly, I look at him again, as the realization hits me like a sledge hammer;
He's not burned!… well, a little singed, but that blast should have cooked him! How did he escape with his skin intact?
Before I can try to comprehend this miracle, the infirmary is flooded. All members of the crew have suffered injuries.
I feel almost guilty that I am not among the wounded.
Leaving a trail of green, Scar walks over to Spiky, looking over his wounds as he opens his medikit.
"What happened?" I demand of him.
"I do not know how he is not dead. I can only guess that perhaps he used a force shield, like the one he gave to Kanani."
Scar replies quietly, without looking at me.
"Will… will he be ok?" the words leave my mouth without my intention.
"He will live." Scar adds under his breath, "Somehow, I think he has seen worse."
Kanani limps in and sits down heavily, taking a shaky breath.
"We fucking did it. Now, maybe we can get on our lives." She looks up at me.
I leave Spiky's side and I kneel by my daughter, gently looking over her wounds.
"Like my new look?" She grins, gesturing to all her cuts and bruises.
"What did THIS to you?" There's a row of huge claw marks on her midriff.
"Good question. Please don't ask." Kanani groans.
Before I can interrogate her on that, an abrupt roar jolts us both and I whirl around, even as Kanani flinches beside me.
Scar injected Spiky with that stuff that helps them heal faster… the stuff that hurts like a TOTAL bitch.
Spiky's definitely wide awake now… he just about threw Scar across the room before coming to his senses.
That must have been quite a shock…for both of them.
I manage to see how many more injections there are. There's only three more, and Kanani's already squirming.
I stand up and move aside as I overhear her murmuring.
"I dunno, I think once was enou-AAAAAHHHOOOWWWW!DAMIT!"
She leaps to her feet, ready to tear into someone, only to realize that Psycho is the one who injected her.
After a slight, frantic pause, this devilish grin spreads across her face.
"Now it's your turn."
He growls at her, his mandibles flaring out as he backs away. Kanani pouts.
"You didn't even WARN me! C'mon, dude, you fucking OWE me for THAT one!"
His mandibles pull back in sullenly as he sticks out his arm and gives her the syringe.
I look away, only to see Kemp arguing with Lex about the wound on her arm.
"LET me help you!"
"NO!"
"You are SUCH a baby!"
"NO, I'M THE FUCKING MEDIC! And you, YOU'RE a CIVVIE! DON'T TRY TO TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB!"
"ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRR!"
That fluid must really pack a wallop. I think quietly as Kanani happily injects Psycho.
Looking down, I'm almost unnerved to see that I've moved over to Spiky's side, and he's staring straight back at me.
"You're alive."
Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Why was THAT the first thing out of my mouth?
"How did you know?"
"Um… you're, uh, breathing-"
"No. I didn't tell you to use my ship to crush the hybrid, but that's exactly what I wanted you to do."
Was that my imagination? Did he really just say that?
"I thought you'd be mad at me." I gulped.
He chuckles, clattering as he replies, "What made you think of it?"
"I wasn't exactly in my right mind." I admit. Why do I feel like such a schoolgirl?
He takes my shoulder in his huge hand and gives it a gentle shake.
"You did well."
The girliest squeak I have ever heard suddenly rattles my eardrums, making me forget to blush as everyone turns to look at Kemp. His neck is red, and behind his mask, I imagine his face is red too.
From behind him steps yet another new member of the crew, her barely clawed hand casually leaving his rear…
Oh my god…She's not human.
She's a dragon. Her coloring is very similar to Kanani's, although perhaps a little on the lighter side… in fact, she looks a lot like Kanani, except for this silvery plating that curves over her cheeks, down her forehead, and delicately decorates and protects her shoulders.
Her horns are sawed off, but they're positioned to stick out and back.
Did she seriously just pinch Kemp's butt?
Oh good lord, don't tell me that we have ANOTHER hormonal female on board!
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Sabra POV)
After 12 fucking years of the worst imprisonment imaginable, I'm finally free.
And I have this human- with his bright brown eyes, cute freckles, and rusty red hair- to thank for it.
He set me free and even helped me escape, after all the countless times I have spent trying to get out of that hell hole.
In that lab, hell literally freezes over. SO GLAD I'm OUTTA there.
I wanna go to a fucking club, drink so much I can't see straight and DANCE.
I'd love that… more specifically, I'd like to go and take Shawty here with me.
I owe him my life... but I think he stole my heart.
I mean…. really, how would YOU feel towards the man who saved you from ABSOLUTE and TOTAL hell?
That, and he's hot as hell.
It's gotta be that armor… he looks so fucking BAD ASS…
And call me crazy, but when I saw the other hybrid, I just SERIOUSLY wanted to glomp her.
It's been fucking FOREVER since I lost my own family, and seeing her… brought back memories, let's just say.
That, and I'm not exactly an unfriendly person… plus being underground that long was SO not good for my sanity.
As Kemp argues with Lex, I decide to take things into my own hands… literally.
I swagger up behind him and give his WONDERFULLY cute ass a light squeeze.
The most adorable little squeal comes out of him as he jumps in surprise. It makes me grin and purr with happiness.
He's so amazingly cute, the way he turns so red, I swear it's like he's blushing.
He just glares up at me and shouts, "DOES THE TERM PERSONAL SPACE MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?"
"Not really." I'm quick to reply, adding with a giggle,"At least, not when it comes to you."
I hear my fellow hybrid snicker, as Kemp turns redder and redder.
"What's your name?"
I look over to the new person who spoke… A small-ish lady, who looks a little like Lex, but is much… different.
Thinner hair, thinner lips, lighter eyes, but some same features.
They must be sisters.
"My name's Sabra." I reply, sticking out a hand to shake hers, as she nods.
"I'm Rosalie Woods. Nice to have you on board."
She looks nice. Tired though.
Kanani grins.
"Mom, isn't it weird how Sabra kinda looks like me?"
"Yeah…" Rosy looks at me thoughtfully.
"Wait, mom?" I freeze. If that's her mom, then...
"Yeah, lady, that woman's my mother. Biological mother, in case the resemblance isn't strong enough."
Kanani chuckles quietly.
"Who's the daddy?"
"His name was Malachi." Rosy replies.
I tilt my head.
"I had a half brother named Malachi. We had the same momma, but his father died, and our mother remarried… but, she married a human. Hence me."
I shape shift to look human for a moment.
Forgetting that my tail had made a hole in my boxers and Kemp is right behind me.
Kemp makes a strangled noise in his throat.
I turn to look at him coyly.
"Like what you see?"
"Of for the love of-"
"Wait, what did your half brother look like?" Rosy suddenly blurts, latching onto my arm.
I pause. Damn, she's strong for being such a small human.
"Last time I saw him, he was a mite over 8 ft tall, with four horns, two big ones, two small ones, like Kanani's-"
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
Sabra pauses, as though something clicked in her mind. Her hands fly up to her head as she shape shifts back into a dragon.
This horrified expression leaps onto her face and she fairly screams.
"WHAT THE HELL DID THEY DO TO MY HORNS?"
She runs to the wall, looking at her reflection, she wails.
"NOOOO! Damnit, do they have any IDEA how fucking LONG it took me to grow those out?"
She melts to the floor, a heap of sadness.
There's a moment of silence before Kanani walks over to her and crouches next to Sabra.
"Hey, chica, it's alright. They'll grow back. Besides, you look kinda punk with them all sawed off like that."
"Kid, you're not fooling me. I look mangled."
"At least you're not fat."
"You're not fat."
"Really? What's this then?" Kanani smacks her thigh and the skin jiggles just a little.
"That's called healthy. You're not fat." Sabra's giggling now though.
Kemp, watching for a moment, suddenly pulls out a silver ipod from his pocket and gently holds it out to Sabra.
"Here; is this yours?"
"My ipod!"
I watch the both of them, my mind a whirl of thoughts and suspicions.
Just how many dragons have four horns?… And how many dragons are named Malachi?
It can't be… but is it?
I intend to find out.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Spiky POV)
Before the blast struck me, I managed to grab the force shield I had taken along. And though the fire enveloped me, I was not consumed.
Rather, I was singed, tossed high up into the air and then thrown back down to the earth, where I was knocked unconscious…
I woke with a jolt of pain that sent my mind spiraling, making me forget where I was… hearing Setg'in's groan, as I struck him brought me back to my senses quickly enough.
Now, as my crew chatters on, I take in a breath and bark, "Quiet."
They all turn to me.
I sit up slowly, wincing as pain ripples in my senses from the fiery blast.
"Our mission has been completed. Kha'bj-te and Set'gin, you both have reclaimed your honor.
Our father would be proud of both of you."
They both stand a little taller, and I press on.
"I am going to plot a course for home. But I will not hurry us there. Lex, Rosy, Kanani, Kemp, and… Sabra. You will all need to learn how to adapt to our culture, if you wish to survive on the Yautja homeworld."
Sabra suddenly shoots a hand into the air,
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA! Time out. We're leaving earth?… Damn, and I'm on an Unknown's ship, too!
What next, a run in with the Easter Bunny? Or maybe Santa Claus?" She demands.
Kanani snorts.
"Lady, you're a fucking dragon hybrid. We ran into fucking manticores, aliens and secret underground monster making factories. Why should anything surprise you anymore? Hell, I won't be surprised if Tinkerbell sneaks in and bites me in the a-OW!"
She squeals, jumping forward and whirling around quickly.
I want to face palm.
Kha'bj-te just slapped her rear end. And then shows her why by hold out his hand.
"There was a spider on my butt." Kanani explains shortly, muttering under her breath, "But you're still a pervert, Psycho."
Sabra turns back to me, "As I was saying; We're leaving earth? As in, never coming back?"
"That is correct. Do you have any reason to stay?"
"Hell yes! I don't have any of my fucking clothes! All my luggage is in Canada!
And besides that, both my parents are buried on earth!
And I… I never found out whether my brother, Malachi, is still alive or not."
Rosy stiffens and blurts, along with Kanani, "Say WHAT?"
Sabra turns to them.
"Eh? Oh, I forgot to ask, did you know Malachi?" Her brows quirk down, and she looks harder at Kanani.
"Um… did he have four horns, a whiter then snow smile and an arrogant ego that made you want to strangle and hug him at the same time?" Rosy asks.
Sabra bursts into laughter before stopping suddenly.
"That is exactly him… but-"
"He's dead." Kanani says flatly.
Sabra freezes. "How?"
I stay seated. I know nothing of Sabra… or of the story of Kanani's father. I want to hear this.
Rosy chews her lip before launching into her story.
"I met Malachi 18 years ago. He and I… we got married. And two days afterwards, he died."
"SAY WHAT?" Sabra dead pans in a loud voice. Her eyes are so huge, they look like they will envelope her face.
"He was being hunted. I…" Rosy glances sidelong at me as she explains, "He called them the-"
"Unknowns?" Sabra fills in for her. "But… that's what we call THESE guys."
She jerks her head towards me, and my two brothers.
I hear a note of hostility in her voice, but for once, I cannot be angry at this insolence.
Rosy shakes her head, "I know… or, at least, I figured, when Lex met Scar and lived to tell the tale."
Sabra sat down. Hard.
Kemp shifts, clearly uncomfortable.
And I?
Well, suddenly, I feel as though a veil as been lifted from my mind.
I, too, knew this "Malachi"… I know how he died.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kanani POV)
I sit next to Sabra and look at the ceiling. It's weird. She's technically my aunt.
Who am I kidding, she IS my aunt!
And while I'm not the friendliest person (we've discussed my sarcasm, remember?) I feel bad for her. She had hope that her brother was alive… a hope that's just been completely crushed.
She obviously knew him well enough to recognize hear-tell of his personality.
I have a piece of my dad here.
I don't want to ignore her or pretend she doesn't exist.
Hell no.
"At least you knew him. I've never even seen his face." I add, thinking quietly, "At least, not in real life."
Sabra looks at me, and nods quietly.
"I know. It's just… I got caught looking for him. I guess… it never occurred to me that he would be dead this soon."
Kemp clears his throat.
"Sabra, we're all pretty much wanted fugitives back home. I think you're the only one who could get away with returning home."
"But… you're not going to be there, are you?" Sabra stands up, her eyes staring almost through him.
She really has it bad for him, doesn't she? I can't help thinking.
"I can't go back." Kemp replies, swallowing thickly, he deadpans, "How I ended up here is a long story. I don't really feel like talking about it, so, either you come with us, or you go back. Alone."
Sabra shrugs.
"What the hell. I've never been in outer space before. Is it as glamorous as they say?"
"I dunno, who's 'they'?" Kemp fires back.
Sabra grins back at him.
"Everyone but you, obviously."
"Aw hell, stop flirting with each other!" I groan, "Scar and Lex are bad enough!"
"US? What about YOU?" Lex crosses her arms.
I swallow thickly.
"I plead innocent. Besides, you're not exactly setting a good example in chastity."
"Why you-"
"ENOUGH!" Spiky roars, and I mentally thank him for saving my butt… again.
Why did I bother picking on Aunt Lex? She'll just kick my ass like she kicked my near-rapist's ass.
"You may share stories ELSEWHERE." Standing to his feet, Spiky glares down at us all.
His burns look better, but it's easy to see that they're painful.
Poor guy...
"If any of you have a question, ask Set'gin, or Kha'bj-te. I'm going to the command deck… Rosy, will you come with me?"
There's a silence that follows that question. And the fact that it's a question and not a command tells me something.
Spiky doesn't regard my mom as a mere underling. She's an equal in his eyes… why does this give me a bad feeling?
About WHAT I don't know, but there's something funny going on. I mean…
I know my mom has earned his respect, but he's still the fucking captain of the vessel.
I guess it doesn't matter.
Sabra suddenly grabs my hand, AND Kemp's hand and yells,
"C'mon! I'm out of that fucking lab, after twelve fucking years! Let's celebrate! Who wants to go clubbing? Wait, no, I need clothes first. WHO WANTS TO GO SHOPPING?"
Oh lord, here we go…
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
I follow Spiky to the command deck. For some reason, I find myself bracing for bad news.
So when we come to the deck, and he starts plotting a course for his world, I sit down and wait.
"Rosy, I have something I need to tell you. But you need to understand something before I tell you."
"Um ok." Yep, definitely bad news.
"I've been learning more and more about you and your family, with every passing moment that we are together. But, just now, I have made a discovery."
I wait for it.
"I have met your husband. But at the time, I did not know who he was, or that he was connected with you."
…
"Come again?" I stand to my feet. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You told me what happened 18 years ago. But you only know part of the story. Permit me to tell you the other half."
I crossed my arms, mostly to keep them from shaking.
Spiky takes a breath. I can tell he, too, is nervous… or sad. He feels pain, and not just the pain from his wounds.
What do you know about Malachi, Spikster?
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Spiky POV)
I begin at what I hope qualifies as the beginning.
"Your husband was a respected warrior, among the elders of my clan. He provoked an attack on one of my brothers, Zabin. Zabin was hunting oomans at that time, and the attack was unexpected. But he failed against the Llonng Sain'ja.
Though Zabin should have been able to kill Malachi, he was no match for the dragon's strength and ferocity. Malachi triumphed over Zabin, and spared his life.
The Elders granted him the right to live without fear of being hunted. But Zabin was furious at this humiliation.
And it was not long after that incident that his heart turned to dishonorable deeds that only became worse with time.
I was assigned to hunt him down and kill him, for crimes unspeakable. By this time, he had left for earth, to kill Malachi. And he found a way to disguise his scent.
I could not track him by scent, and your husband could not smell him.
But I could smell Malachi, and Malachi knew I was there."
I pause. Rosy is silent, but I can hear her heart pounding, and I know she can understand the implications of my words…
"Zabin set a trap. Malachi thought I was the enemy. And by the time he discovered I was a friend, Zabin had ambushed us both."
I took off my mask, setting up the recording of that day… of that battle. I offer my helmet to Rosy and she takes it.
After a few moments, she hands it back to me. Her eyes are full of tears.
"He saved more then one life, at the price of his own." I swallowed hard.
It had always been my shame, that I had been unable to hunt down my brother BEFORE he had fulfilled his evil plan to kill Malachi.
"Where's his body?" Rosy finally asks, but suddenly, she goes limp, her eyes rolling back in her head.
I catch her, cradling her small body in my arms.
She appears asleep; her heart is beating softly, her breathing even.
She fainted.
Both remorse and relief fill me. The story is not one I am proud of. But at least now she knows.
No. She does not know everything.
The navigation system is up and set on autopilot. In the span of three weeks, we'll be back home.
My home…
As I lay her down, I pause, taking in a deep breath.
There's… a new scent in the air. And it's coming from…
Rosy.
My breath hitches, as it grows slightly stronger, and I grab my mask, placing it back onto my face.
Even with my mask, the scent is barely filtered. I step away from Rosy, uncertain of myself.
Why does she suddenly smell like…
Like a fertile female in heat.
It's the most seductive smell I have ever breathed in. But how could it be coming from Rosy?
Dear Paya, help me. I've never dealt with something like this before...
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kemp POV)
Oh my GOD.
No.
This is the limit.
I WILL NOT do this.
Sabra went back to her human form after she and Kanani made themselves some clothes, during which time, I was charged with taking care of Sabra's ipod and Kanani's ipod, which happens to be named Raphael.
Damn. Why am I still surprised?
A few minutes later, Sabra came out in the most provocative outfit I have ever seen. Her loincloth barely covered her rear end and she did not have shorts, like Kanani does. Right this moment, she has her ipod set up like a fucking stereo system... and she's fucking dancing.
And… she's not bad. Not bad at all. But damn it, my mouth's watering, watching her.
Damn it, I may have to recant my claim of not being a pervert...
She turns to Kanani and me and demands, "WHY the hell are you two just standing there?"
"I can't dance!" Kanani protests, her eyes widening as she pulls back. There's this chuffing sound from Curly.
Kanani whirls on him and he tilts his head at her, crossing his arms.
Kanani practically squeaks, "Are you kidding? You weren't even supposed to see that!"
"So you DO dance." Sabra grins, and she grabs Kanani's hand as the next song starts playing.
It's this ridiculously popping, bubbly song that I have NEVER heard before.
But Sabra seems to know it very well, as she starts popping her hips with practiced grace, popping her shoulders and whipping her hair.
Can't you hear that boom-ba-loom-ba-boom-ba-loom-ba base!
Kanani looks like she knows it too. She starts to reluctantly dance, sometimes following Sabra's lead, which doesn't look easy, but mostly doing it free-style.
Beside me, I can hear Curly's breath hitch. I know who he's watching.
This is getting fucking ridiculous.
The song ends, and Sabra laughs, breathlessly.
"Damn it, it's been too long since I've danced!… are there clubs on this planet we're going to?"
"They will open clubs just to see you dance."
Holy shit, WAS THAT ME?
It was. Her eyes are shining at me as she purrs, "That's gotta be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
I feel my face heat up, but I brush it off.
"It's nothing but the fucking truth."
"Still sweet." Sabra smiles, coming closer, she looks into my eyes. I can't deny it. She's beautiful.
Damn it, Kemp, she's not even your species!
Halfway has to count for something…
Dear God, even the voice in my head is fucking AGAINST me!
Sabra giggles. I blink and realize I've zoned out.
She picks up her ipod and turns it off, before looking sidelong at me as she smiles.
"Why don't you show me where there's some chow? I'm starving. And you can tell me about what I've been missing."
"Sure."
Hell, I have nothing better to do.
And I have absolutely nothing to lose, except maybe my mind.
Well, they do say love is crazy. I'm living with proof of that…
Hold it.
Did I just say love?
I've heard that women can drive you crazy. Looks like it's death by blushing after all.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kanani POV)
I slip away from Sabra's side as she starts talking with Kemp, pulling Psycho along with me.
His scent is strong, turning me on all over again… which means he's turned on.
And he can probably tell that I'm turned on.
But I'm wearing my mask, and it's filtering the scent enough for me to keep track of my logic.
"Psycho, we can't do the horizontal tango here on your brother's ship. That's all.
You saw what happened when Lex and Scar did it. Literally, you SAW what happened, which is the point."
He grumbles and I nod.
"I know…"
Turning to face him, I look into his mask.
I really want to see his face, but who knows, that mask may be the only thing that's keeping him off me.
Then again…
NO. If you even think about it, your mom's going to come walking around the corner. Then she's going to kill you.
Slowly. With a chainsaw.
It doesn't matter HOW she gets the chainsaw, SHE WILL FIND ONE AND USE IT ON YOU.
"Teach me how to fight." I suddenly blurt.
He seems just as surprised as me, and I try to find the reasoning behind this sudden inspiration,
"If we're sparring, then technically, mom can't kill us for touching each other. At the same time, we'll be doing something useful cause honestly, I have no idea how to fight professionally like you do… sort of."
He gazes at me a moment longer before giving a curt nod.
I've got to be off my rocker.
…
Kanani, we've already established that. Get over yourself already.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Lex POV)
As Scar shows me how to clean out the acid blood from my new trophy, I take the time to bask in my triumph.
I never imagined myself as a warrior. But things have changed. My view of myself has changed… a little…
I'm still slightly crazy in the head.
"You are quiet." Scar comments.
"I'm just thinking. I never thought I could do something like this. Kill monsters, kill people. I mean, I had a good reason for it, but still."
Scar laughs quietly.
"You are not born a warrior. It is something you become."
"Wow… that sounds like a threat." I grin at him.
He purrs softly, nuzzling my neck. I lean into him slightly, enjoying the touch.
"What is it that Spiky wanted to talk to Rosy about?"
"I do not know." Scar admits. "I have a feeling it has something to do with Sabra, however."
"That's so crazy. Sabra's Rosy's sister in law… which makes her MY sister in law too. I mean… weird."
"Truly, we have done a good deed by destroying all those labs."
I shake my head. Thinking about the what-ifs is mind reeling. So I stay in the present.
And believe me, I don't wanna be anywhere else.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
I'm falling. Again.
As I flail, trying to get my bearings, something catches me.
Malachi?
He glides gently to the ground, landing, he presses a kiss to my forehead. I try to speak, but I can't.
Looking up, he starts forward.
I look away from him, and then, I see Spiky… waiting, it seems.
Malachi gently hands me over to Spiky, who takes me into his arms. Then, with a sad grin and wink, he vanishes.
I feel tears slide down my cheeks, but as I weep, I feel the firmness of Spiky's arms beneath me.
"You are not alone."
The words are whispered like a sweet lullaby to me, and in falling asleep, I wake up.
To my surprise, I AM in Spiky's arms. He's carrying me.
"What happened?" I croak.
"You fainted." He replies, with a gruffness in his voice I've never heard before.
I open my mouth to tell him to put me down, but then, I stop. Here, in his arms… it feels so right.
"Spiky? I'm… I'm not mad at you. I loved Malachi, and I always will, but… his death wasn't your fault."
I shudder, still feeling sad.
My vision is still clinging to the back of my mind. It felt so real… but is that because I fainted?
Who knows.
"Can you walk?"
"Yes."
As he puts me down, he adds, in a serious tone, "Rosy, I have his body, here on my ship."
…
"Say what? You mean, like a fucking trophy?"
"NO!" Spiky looks almost sickened, and I immediately feel ashamed of my words, though THIS new revelation is…
disturbing to say the least.
"Why didn't you bury him?"
"He deserved better."
I never thought of that.
"Can… can I see him?"
He nods and taps a code into the wall. Damn. We're back at his private quarters.
Memories of the LAST time I was here threaten to make me turn and bolt the other way.
Cut it out, Rosy.
Spiky moves to a corner of the room and pulls a lever. There's a secret room, behind the wall.
I follow him to this room.
What I see makes me cry again.
Oh Malachi… I miss you so much.
But as I cry, Spiky puts a hand on my shoulder. And I accept his comfort, turning into him, I weep over the death of my husband… my friend.
After my tears subside, Spiky speaks again.
"You may give him a burial if you wish, when we arrive. Put him at rest however you see fit."
"Thank you." I murmur. Wiping my eyes, I look up into Spiky's mask.
He adds quietly, "I swear, Rosy, I will not abandon you. As long as I draw breath, I will be your friend."
I smile, in spite of my tears.
And it clicks in my mind.
Malachi wouldn't want me to be alone.
…
Dear God, I have lost my mind.
A sudden cramp in my stomach suddenly lets me know that I need to find a bathroom. Fast.
"Thank you, Spiky. For everything."
He only shakes my shoulder amiably.
"Um… can I use your cleanser?"
Moment ruined forever probably.
But if I stay here much longer, I'm probably going to start bleeding on the floor, and Spiky does NOT need to see that.
Hey guys! Spiky's still Alive! ALIVE I TELL YOU! HAHAHAHAHA-*cough* *hack*... I'm fine. really. no need to, uh, call the phunny pharm or anything. I mean it. Really... PUT THAT STRAIGHT JACKET DOWN! *realizes she has yelled this out loud*
...
Um, Did I mention what a great crowd ya'll are? Seriously, every review has made me smile, giggle and pretty much glow. Thanks so much.
To Kalthar, everyone give him a big hand. He's an awesome editor, spell checker and has a keen eye for improving dialogue. THANKS DUDE! YOU ROCK!
SHOUT OUT!
LynxbyLynx:Sorry about the cliffhanger, but thanks so much for your review, friend!
The Silent Hunter and Talon: Dear Talon, thank you so much for leaving a review for Hunter. I am sorry to have distressed you both with the cliffhanger, but I hope this chapter makes up for it. Silent Hunter... Your own stories rock my socks. It honors me that you would read MY fanfictions and leave such glowing reviews. Thank you!
weirdCOMBO: I know, right? And, uh, no need to go on that killing spree. Spiky lives!
Lady Augustin: Thank YOU for your encouraging reviews! Sorry about the cliffy, though. :(
SesshiraRayu: LOL!
Iamluck:Thanks. :))
Ice Demon Ranger:No, I could not bring myself to kill Spiky. Never intended to, I swear. :) Thanks for your review!
Andi-1990:I'm sorry to have distressed you, but I'm glad you liked the chapter! :)
HuntressOfTheWeird:I liked that part too. Thanks for your review!
Lord Anubis Judge of the dead: Thanks! :D
TheSneakyHobo: LOl, thank you!
XLR8ION: The invisible penguins have been holding me hostage for months now... I barely escaped with my life. ^_~ Glad you liked the chapter and I AM sorry about the cliffhangar. I felt kinda evil after posting that last chapter, but I hope this one made up for it!
mizukikage: Here's the new chapter! glad you like the story, despite the awful cliffhanger.
Horser01:Thanks for leaving such a detailed and encouraging review! :) made my day!
cj:Your opinion has been noted. Hasn't changed the way I feel about song fictions, which I LOVE. Next time, critique something useful. Please.
lysia1982:D'aw, thanks. :)
Luv4Uncas:I know, right? Kemp's so funny, cause he's like, all tough, but he blushes SO EASY! ^_^ Thanks for your review!
TO ALL READERS; MY SINCEREST THANKS!
Comments, questions and constructive crit is welcome.
OH! i don't own Super Bass, which is property of Niki Minaj, I believe. :)