" . . . I'm really the character Adrian from Little Nicky . . . as well as a character from a fan fiction story."

"What do you mean a fan fiction story character?" asked Angel as I promptly choked on my bite of sandwich. "You mean, you escaped from the literary world?"

He smiled at her ability to deduct. "Yes, I did. It's hard to explain how all three of us escaped . . . "

"All three?" I asked, whipping around to face him. "Who else from fan fiction is running loose on Earth?"

He patted the corner of his lips with the napkin. "Well, I'm sure you know Nigel Gruff."

I nodded as Angel said, "From The Replacements? I LOVE that movie!"

I ignored her. "Who's the other escapee?"

Adrian hesitated and I knew it wasn't going to be good. "Did you ever watch Hannibal Rising?" When I nodded, he swallowed before saying, "Vladis Grutas was the other escapee."

I felt the color draining from my face. Vladis Grutas? "Vladis Grutas is running wild somewhere on Earth?" I managed to whisper.

"No," he replied. "He's somewhere here in Edinboro. Nigel and I both traveled here specifically, though we're not sure why."

"Where is Nigel?" asked Angel, now totally interested in what was happening.

"I left him at the hotel we're staying in," he replied. "We wanted to make sure you understood the situation entirely before we tried protecting you."

"Protecting us?" I felt myself growing ill. "Why do we need protected?"

Adrian was a little hesitant again. "Before I explain, I need you to meet Nigel. He'll be better at explaining everything."

A little nervous, Angel and I allowed him to lead us out of the food court and out into the parking lot. "Would either of you care if we took my car?" he asked, pointing to a car that made me happier than I could imagine.

It was my dream car! It was a beautiful 1987 blood red Mustang Convertible, shining magnificently in the glimmering sunlight. "This is your car?" I couldn't help asking, running my hand over the warm chrome of the hood.

"Yes, it is." Adrian led me to the back seat. "Here you go. Angel, would you like the front or back seat?"

She smiled warmly. "I'll take the front seat."

I rolled my eyes as he escorted her to the front seat and even opened the door for her. They were really into each other . . . and they had only just met! I smiled to myself as Adrian sat in the driver's side and turned the ignition. The engine purred and I was in car paradise as he started driving to the hotel.

I heard a cracking noise from somewhere and suddenly, the window on my right side cracked violently, a small bullet wedged near the middle. "Adrian!" I screamed.

"Both of you get down!" he ordered us, and neither of us wanted to argue as we got as for down as we could manage as he slammed down on the gas pedal. We felt the car lurch forward before a couple more shots rang out, and the glass shattered and something hit the car door just above my head.

Adrian was driving like a mad man, swerving and speeding to outrun the mystery shooter. After what seemed like an eternity, Adrian slowed down and pulled into a parking lot. "It's okay now, girls. You're safe."

Without thinking, Angel sat up and immediately clutched Adrian seeking comfort. Gently, Adrian wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders and soothed her. "We're safe now, Angel. Sh." He pressed a small kiss to the top of her head and for a brief moment, I felt slightly jealous.

I shook my head and opened my car door. "Let's get inside before he can find us again."

Adrian agreed and the three of us rushed inside the hotel. "I'm guessing Vladis Grutas is our mystery sniper, huh?" I asked as we rode the elevator to the fourth floor.

He nodded. "No doubt . . . he's been after Nigel and I since he found out we were looking for you, Angelique."

"How long have you two been looking for me?" I asked, then a more pressing question came to mind. "Why were you two looking for me? How did you know who I was?"

Adrian sighed and stepped out of the elevator. "We had been searching for you for almost a year. After we escaped our fan fiction stories, we went by an instinct, to find the woman our 'lovers' were based on. Since all three of our 'lovers' were based on you, Angelique, we had to find you before we did anything else. I found you and bringing you to safety. Nigel and I will have to keep you safe as long as possible. Who knows whether or not Vladis will continue his attempts on your life or not." He stopped in front of a door marked 69 and knocked. "Nigel, it's me, Adrian."

The door opened and an almost-twin Adrian let us into the hotel room. "Wow, I get to help protect one of the hottest chicks I've seen since escaping fan fiction?" he exclaimed as he locked eyes on me, making me blush as I brushed past him. Man, his cologne smelled good! I did everything I could not to turn to him and sniff and sat on the couch farthest from Adrian.

He shut and locked the door behind Angel, who took a seat next to Adrian. I groaned inwardly as I realized the only open seat remaining was right next to me, and Nigel smiled as he plopped down. He acted as if stretching, then wrapped a long, thin arm around my shoulders, a seductive grin on his face. "So, I guess I'm supposed to tell you all you need to know about our situation."

~End Chapter~