Chapter Eleven–Mistake # 3: And He's Out!

"Y-you should be in jail," Icy said as she backed a couple of steps away from him.

"Eh, what can you do when you're bored there? Break out and check to see how my girl's doing," he responded with a shrug as he tossed a cigarette onto the street. "How've you been?"

"Don't give me that shit!" She spat as she glared at him. "You've made my life a living hell since you followed me to CGL. And now that I'm out you have to follow me here?"

"Look," Crimson said with a sigh. "I was kidding about the breaking out thing. Turns out I was released because I wasn't seen as a threat."

"Oh that's very believable."

"I fell out of a four story window. Hit my head and lost some of my memory. I won't ever get it back. But what dawned on me was how mistreated you were. And I'm sorry about that. I just want to make it up to you somehow. I know I did something wrong to you, I just don't know what, but this feeling of guilt won't go away. I know that I have to make something up to you to make it go away. Then I can go and live with my mom and be the son she wanted me to be."

Icy stood a good few feet away from him as she stared at him suspiciously. He had a look of pure regret in his eyes, but she knew not to fall for it. She's done that way too many times to fall for it once more.

"Just stay away from me!" She spat before she started to walk off.

"Do you have a place to stay?"

"Stay the hell away from me!"

Icy started to run down the street. Running always helped clear her head so she could think better. And she really needed to think. Her breaths came out in a steady rhythm as her shoes slapped against the slightly damp ground. She looked up and flinched as a rain drop hit her face. She stood staring up at the sky as the rain fell down harder, soaking her to the skin in seconds. She punched the wall of the house that was close to her and held her head in her free hand.

'What have I done? I always blamed someone else for ruining my life…but I did it myself. Just like I hurt both Squid and Twitch. I guess I have to find out which one I like better. Someone give me a sign of who to choose.'

"Icy?"

Icy turned as she brushed her wet hair out of her face with her sleeve. "Squid? What're you doing here?"

"I thought about what you said," he responded as he walked up to her. "I realized that you were right. It was my fault you…moved on. I drove you away by being too protective of you. It's just…I didn't love anyone as much as I loved you and…call me selfish, but I didn't want anyone else to have you. You're special to me, but…if there's someone else that likes you as much as I did…do…then you should be with him." He looked at her as he pulled off his doorag and squeezed it so water fell out.

"What?" Icy asked in disbelief.

"Basically what I'm saying is…" he placed his hands on Icy's shoulders and shook her as if he were shaking sense back into her. "Go. And. Be. With. Twitch."

"But…but…" Icy started.

"But what?"

"But what if I hurt him again? I always do that, hurt the only people that care about me."

"You won't do it this time. I can tell."

Squid half smiled half smirked at her as she smiled a little. She stepped forward and hugged him as he hugged her back. He rested his chin on her head as she clung to him. They ignored the rain that fell around them

"Are you sure about this?" Icy questioned.

"Mhm," Squid responded with a nod. "You can do it."

Icy smiled before backing out of his grip. "Hey Squid?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks." She turned and ran off in the rain, letting the darkness engulf her. Squid stood there for a couple of seconds watching her run before going back to the car he parked a couple of feet away. "We can go now."

"Did you do the right thing?" Zigzag questioned as he put the car on drive.

"I hope so," Squid responded.

-----------------

"C'mon, c'mon," Icy muttered as she knocked on the door to a house. She pushed back her hair as she looked around at the neighborhood behind herself.

"Icy?" Twitch questioned once he opened the door. A pang of guilt hit Icy like a ton of bricks. His eyes were slightly puffy as if he had been crying. "What're you doing here?"

"I came to apologize," she responded as she squeeze the end of her hair. "Can I come in at least? I don't want to get hypothermia or something."

"Yeah," he mumbled as he backed away and let her inside. She slid off her socks and shoes and rolled up her pants legs and sleeves so she wouldn't drip that much. "You're not staying long." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Twitch, just let me explain–"

"You don't need to explain anything!" He spat as he turned to face her, eyes blazing. "You used me, Icy! Didn't you know how much that would hurt me? Didn't you think? Didn't you care?" In frustration he gripped his hair. "I guess not because you went and broke my heart! I didn't think I liked you before, but when you came and visited me while I was in jail, I thought you did. When you kissed me at Magnet's house, I felt lucky! But then you had to go and…do this!"

"Wait Twitch–" Icy started.

"I hate you," Twitch said barely above a whisper, tears brimming on his eyes. He then turned around and stomped up the stairs. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

Icy watched him walk up the stairs and winced once she heard the door slam shut. Icy growled in frustration as she hit her head on the wall. 'What would Shorty say if she were here? She'd say something like, 'If you want something badly, don't sit around and wait for it to come to you. You have to go get it yourself' Well, I hope your advice works this time, Shorty.'

Icy climbed the stairs and found Twitch's room, seeing as it was the only door that was closed. "Twitch, open up!" She called as she knocked on the door.

"I said go away!" he called back.

"Please! You have to let me explain!"

"You don't need to explain anything!"

"Yes I do!" Icy cried. "I…I never meant to hurt you! I was trying to figure out who was right for me! I even talked to Nikita about this! She helped me figure out who was right for me!" She sighed as she listened. There was no noise so she kept talking. "I realized that I actually need someone to make me feel respected. Squid didn't do that! You did! You made me feel special, and I realized that at the last minute! Please, Twitch. I'm really really sorry! You're…you're he one for me! Not Squid! Not anyone else! You!"

She still didn't hear anything coming from the room so she sighed heavily and felt tears come to her eyes. She blinked back the tears as she turned and went back down the stairs. An empty feeling filled her as she turned the knob and started to pull open the door. A hand was placed on it before it closed. Icy turned around and caught a glimpse of Twitch before she was pressed into the door and he was kissing her.

"Does that mean you forgive me?" Icy asked after he pulled away. He just laughed and kissed her again.

------------------

"I'M FREE!" Shorty cheered as she ran out of the hospital two days later. She stopped at the end of the sidewalk and started dancing in happiness as Glare walked out behind her laughing.

"Don't use up all of your energy all ready," Glare warned her as she started to perform the trick the bronco. "We still have to see everyone else."

"This will be so great! I can't wait to hang out with Ally and Maggie again! I missed them a lot."

"What, you didn't miss your sister?" Icy questioned with a smile. The looks on Glare's and Shorty's face brightened as Icy ran towards them. She ran into Glare's arms and gave him a big hug as Shorty skipped around them. Once Glare pulled away Shorty kicked Icy in the leg. "What in the world was that for?"

"For cheating on Squid!" She responded as she placed her hands on her hips. "How could you do that to him?"

"Shorty–" Icy tried to talk.

"Don't interrupt me!" Shorty said as she held up her hand. "After all it took for you two to get together–"

"Shorty!" Icy screamed as she shook her by her shoulders. "Squid's fine with it. Actually, he was the one who told me I should be with Twitch."

"Squid said that?" Glare questioned.

"Yes."

"Squid from D-Tent?"

"Yes."

"You mean that air-headed toothpick chewing, fight starting Squid?"

"Yes, that Squid!"

Shorty and Glare laughed as they walked down the street. Icy told Shorty and Glare everything that had happened while they were stuck in the hospital. Glare told Icy about how they were signed up as the band to play at the Homecoming dance that was going to be held in a couple of weeks. He also told her that Smirk and SpitFire were there to visit and would leave the next day. Icy then told them about how Crimson claimed that he had changed.

"I highly doubt that," Glare said as he rolled his eyes and started to unlock the door to their house. Before he stuck the key in the door swung open and he was yanked inside by his collar. He landed hard on his elbows and knees.

"Glare, are you all right?" Icy asked as she and Shorty dropped down to his side.

"Yeah," he responded as he pushed himself up to his knees. "But what did that?"

"I did," Malcolm responded as he walked into the foyer. Icy and Shorty tensed up on either side of Glare. "Where have you two been this whole time?"

"We were in the hospital because of you!" Shorty snapped as she backed away a little. "You almost killed us!"

"Aww," Malcolm said in fake sympathy. "It's too bad you're not dead! Then I don't have to worry about looking at you!" He walked past them to the door and closed and locked it before looking back at them. He glared at them before striking Icy in the face.

"God dammit!" She cried out as she clutched her nose in pain. Glare got to his feet and tried to knock Malcolm over, but he easily dodged it and hit Glare in the back of the head with his elbow. Shorty tried to run to him but he grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder.

"Hey! Put me down now!" Shorty cried as she thrashed on his shoulder. Malcolm grabbed Icy and Glare by the collars of their shirts and started to shove them up the stairs. He shoved them into Icy's bedroom and into the closet.

"Hey!" was all Glare could get out before he slammed the door shut and locked it. He grinned at the sounds of their fits pounding on the door.

"Sit down, kid!" Malcolm snapped as she tossed Shorty, not caring where she landed. When he saw that she had hit the floor he picked her up and placed her on his lap. "Remeber that game we used to play?" He asked as he held her tighter and started to run his hand up her small arm.

"No!" Shorty cried out. "You can't do this to me! I'm your daughter!"

Malcolm just laughed evilly. "No daughter of mine would treat me this way."

"NO! STOP IT!"

"That bastard!" Icy spat as she pounded her fist on the locked closet door. "I wish we could get out of here."

"Icy, forget it, we can't get out," Glare said with a sigh. "Unless.."

"You have an idea?" Icy asked in surprise.

"Yeah. You had our way of escape this whole time," Glare said as he blindly reached for Icy's belt.

"Glare."

"What?"

"Your hand's not anywhere near my pants pocket."

"Sorry."

"Hold on…ok, I got my cell phone. Crap, the batteries are almost dead!"

"Quick, give me the phone."

Icy watched as the buttons on her cell phone lit up when Glare rapidly pushed some. He stared at the screen. When the call went through the first thing he heard was, "Hello?"

"Zigzag! It's Glarre. I can't talk that long. But it's important for you to come over to our place and bring the police with you."

"What? Why? What's going on?"

"JUST DO IT, PLEASE!"

Right as Glare was about to say something else the door opened, the phone was pulled out of his hand, and thrown across the room where it broke once it hit the wall.

"You little bastards think you can get away with calling the cops on me?": Malcolm demanded as he dragged them out by their hair, ignoring their screams of pain. He dragged them into the middle of the room and threw Shorty down on top of them before he started to kick and punch them. Their screams fell on deaf ears as a smile came to his face. It faded once he heard police sirens in the distance. "Well, it's time to say goodbye," he said as he pulled out a lighter and flicked it so a flame came up. "I just wish you didn't have to treat me this way and–"

"Shut up!" Icy growled as she rammed him with her shoulder. He stumbled backwards and fell into the closet. Icy locked the door and stuck the chair in the way.

"Icy!" Shorty gasped. Icy turned and her eyes widened as flames started to spread around the room. Icy tried to open the door but found it locked. "How will we get out?"

"Don't worry, I'll thin of something," Glare told her, trying to hide the fear in his voice.

"We can't get out," Icy muttered.

"What?" Shorty and Glare asked in unison.

"We can't get out! We can't get out!" She repeated. "It's revenge! The flames are supposed to kill me!"

"Don't talk like that!" Shorty cried as she slapped Icy's cheek. "Ziggy will get us out! I know he will!" She coughed as smoke started to fill the room. Grabbing the blanket on the bed, they held it over their mouths and noses as they backed away from the flames and into the corner where they cowered in fear.

----------------------------------

-Nikita's POV-

"Laurie, when's mom going to be home?" Leon questioned as he washed dishes that were in the sink.

"Soon," I responded without looking at him. It was hard to hide the fact that our mom was never going to come back from him.

"Where'd she go?'

"She's looking for a job." 'At least I can tell him that. That's the truth.'

"Laurie," he said with a sigh as I turned to look at him. "I think I'm old enough for you to tell me the truth. Now what's going on with mom?"

"Ok," I said with a sigh as I put down the towel I was drying the dishes with. "Mom is out looking for a job, like I said. But, she hasn't called us in a long time. I've been faking it for a while so you wouldn't be scared."

"Why would I be scared? I have you here to take care of me."

"But, you can't tell anyone we're living alone or we'll be split up. Ok?"

Leon suddenly stopped washing and stood stiff. His eyes were narrowed; I knew that look well. He has better hearing than most people so this meant he was hearing something that was happening far away. "Fire."

"What?" I questioned.

"Fire," he repeated. "There's a fire somewhere."

"Where?" I demanded as I turned to face him. I grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him. "Out with it, man!"

"Somewhere near…I just can't tell where." He paused and looked past her. "The phone's going to ring."

I reached back and picked up the phone right as the first note on the ring. "What?"

"Get over to the Montgomery place, now!"

"Woah, Ziggy. What's wrong?"

"Fire. Montgomery place!"

"WHAT!?"

I slammed the phone down on the receiver and turned to say something to Leon to find him gone.

"Out the door!" He called from the porch. "We have friends to save!"

Leon and I ran all the way to the Montgomery place. We had to shove past Police Officers to get their way to the front. I spotted X-Ray , Zigzag, and Magnet standing behind tape looking worrid.

"What happened?' I asked out of breath as I rushed over to them.

"I got a call from Glare saying to get over to their place with the police," Zigzag explained. "As I came here firefighters passed us so I knew that the fire was there."

"Where are they?" I asked as I scanned the house.

"It's hard to tell from here," Magnet responded.

"All right, Leon, let's go," I said to him. He nodded before we charged into the house.

"Nikita! No!" Zigzag called. I ignored it as he burst into the house and looked around. I covered my nose as smoke entered it.

"Bedroom, second floor," Leon told me, his golden eyes flashing. He ran up the stairs and I followed close behind. I listened closely and heard faint screams coming from one room.

"In there. Leon, can you take care of the door?" I asked him.

"Of course," he responded as he stepped towards it. He held up his hand and stared at it. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated. He closed his hand and the door bent. He sent a kick at it and it fell over. "Do your stuff."

I nodded as I closed my eyes. I could feel the wings in my back slide out and open fully. I flapped my wings to clear the smoke and push the flames back as Leon darted inside. He came back out a couple of seconds later, with Glare leaning against him for support. He went back in and came out one more time with Icy leaning against him and Shorty in his arms.

"Is that it?" I questioned as I turned my head, letting my wings continue to flap.

"Yeah," Leon responded. "But we need to get the little one outside. I think she inhaled some smoke."

"All right, let's go."

I stopped beating my wings and let the slide back into my back as I followed my little brother downstairs. I accidentally tripped and crashed into them which caused them. We all went tumbling down the stairs and fell int a heap at the bottom. I heard a strange wooshing sound and looked back to see the fire following us down. We scrambled to out feet and dove out the door into the cool air. Glare, Icy, and Shorty were immediately taken to be checked on. They wanted to take a look at Leon and I, but found nothing wrong with us.

"Nikita, are you nuts? You could've gotten hurt!" Zigzag exclaimed as he pulled me into a tight hug.

"Thanks for being worried, babe, but I'm fine," I said once he let me go. "I'm a vampire, remember? I can't get hurt that easily."

"Ture," Zigzag said with a nod. And then he began to smile. "How were the flames?"

"They were AWESOME! They were the coolest shade of orange and red, it was as if they were alive!"

"COOL!" Zigzag exclaimed. "I wish I could've seen them."

I grinned as I gave him a quick hug and walked over to Leon, who was checking on Shorty.

"You ok?" He asked her.

"Yeah. I just inhaled a little smoke," she responded. "I'm fine." She then looked up at the house that was being watered down. "We're finally free," she muttered.

"We don't have to worry about him anymore," Icy added as she also looked up at the house.

A/N: Also, there is an M rated version of the ending scene of Chapter 9. If you want to read it just send me a PM. The scene was changed completely when I posted it so it still fit the T rating.