Chapter 4

Senel arrived at the entrance to the Great Hollow with Shirley, Chloe, Norma, and Grune.

"Coolidge, what exactly are we looking for?" Chloe asked.

"The monster that bit Will looked like a rare beaver," Senel replied. "When we last saw it, it jumped down to the bottom of the ruins."

"It was a pretty high jump," Shirley added. "I wonder if it survived?"

"It doesn't matter," Senel told her. "All we need is a sample for Alcott. We can afford to mess with this monster. We don't want to get bitten and suffer the same fate as Will."

"Remember, Senny, you're the only man here," Norma pointed out. "So take good care of us girls, okay?"

Senel looked at each of the four girls. Wow, I really am the only guy here...

"All right...girls," he said. "Let's find that monster."

The girls nodded and followed Senel into the Great Hollow.

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

Jay and Moses returned to Will's living room.

"Well, I suppose we should kill some time while we wait for Senel and the others," Jay said.

"Right," Moses agreed. "Let's get it on!"

Jay rolled his eyes as he strolled over to the window. "Do you have to say that?"

"Huh? Say what?"

"'Let's get it on.'"

"It sounded good to me."

"That's a really pointless line."

"Hey, I thought we were supposed to say whatever we want," Moses said.

"Well, you could try something like...like..."

"Oh Jay, you're such a cute little doll!"

Jay only dropped his head. He then walked over to the sofa and sat down. Moses followed and sat down next to him.

"So was that any better?" Moses asked.

Jay sighed. "What can I do?"

"Just let me say what I wanna say."

"But all you'll say is, 'Let's get it on.'"

"No, no, that line is finished, all right?"

"Oh...very well."

Moses gently took Jay's shackled wrist and gradually rolled up his sleeve. Then Moses planted some soft kisses up and down Jay's arm.

"Pay close attention now." Moses leaned in to Jay's ear, then kissed him softly.

Jay felt his senses tingling in every point of his body. He grabbed Moses and fell back on the sofa, pulling the red-haired bandit down with him.

Moses flailed as he pulled himself back up. "Hey, you can't rush it!" he protested, grabbing the blanket and wrapping his upper body in a sloppy manner.

Jay giggled involuntarily.

"What're you gigglin' for?" Moses asked.

"You..." Jay said in between laughs. "You're just so...stupid!"

"Bah, whatever..." Moses pulled the blanket off and set it aside, then wrapped an arm around Jay.

"You know somethin'?" he asked. "I love you. I can't tell you what a treat it is to look into your cute little eyes. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I mean that."

Jay looked up at the bandit with his cute little eyes. "M...Moses..." He felt yet another smile tugging at his lips. His breaths became heavier as he tried to fight it, but it was still futile. Finally, he spoke again. "Let's get it on!"

Moses' face took on a look of sheer surprise. "Now hold up! I'm the one who's supposed to say that!"

"Well...yes, but you said it too soon."

"Ah, so it's the timin', huh?" Moses stroked Jay's face lovingly as he gently pushed him back onto the sofa. "Timin'..."

He lowered himself onto Jay, about to kiss him, when a knock on the door interrupted his plans. Both Moses and Jay paused and looked at the door.

"Aw man..." Moses whined as he stood up.

He and Jay walked over to the door. Moses opened it to see Solon standing outside, with Melanie and Cashel standing on either side of him. Jay gasped.

Solon flashed an evil grin. "Hello, Moses."

Moses grinned as well, as cold sweat trickled down from his forehead. "Hi!"

The red-haired bandit then flung the door shut and turned to Jay. "What the hell are they doing here?"

Jay gave him an annoyed look. "You're asking me?"

There was another knock on the door. Moses quickly ran to the bookshelf while yanking Jay behind him, then grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote a short message in large letters.

"Moses, what are you doing!?" Jay hissed.

Without responding, Moses returned to the front door. Once again, there was a knock. Moses quickly opened the door, stuck the paper to the outside, then slammed it shut again.

The Terrors all raised an eye as they read the sign: "DO NOT DISTURB."

"Bah, what the hell is this!?" Cashel yelled as he ripped the sign off and tore it to pieces.

"Nice move, Moses," Jay said, his voice drenched in sarcasm. "Do you honestly believe that that's going to stop them?"

"Um..." Moses paused to think about it.

Jay shrugged. "You even have to think about a no-brainer?"

There was another knock on the door, this time it was louder and more aggressive. Moses grabbed the doorknob and opened the door again.

"Hey, y'all better go away, or Jay and I will have to get naughty on you!" He slammed the door again.

"Moses, you'd better ready yourself to fight," Jay told him.

"What, like this?" Moses held up his shackled wrist.

"Ah, now you realize the brilliance of your idea."

Suddenly, Solon and Cashel busted the door down.

"Let's get it on!" Cashel yelled.

"Hey, that's my line!" Moses cried.

"Sorry to catch you in the middle of your act, Moses," Solon said. "But I believe you have something that belongs to me."

"What do I have that you want?"

"Why, my apprentice, of course."

"Hell no!" Moses wrapped his arms around Jay tightly. "Jay don't belong to nobody, hear?"

"Ugh...I'm surrounded by idiots..." Jay grumbled.

Melanie shoved her way past Cashel and Solon. "Enough talk! Die for me!"

She lashed her whip out, causing a powerful explosion that sent both Jay and Moses flying across the room. They both hit the wall before crashing hard on the floor.

As they picked themselves up, Solon stood in front of them with his sword in hand.

"I'll give you only one chance," he said. "Surrender or die!"

Moses held up his spear. "Say, that's a nice-lookin' sword you got there. Let's see what it looks like when it's buried in your ass!"

"So that's your decision? Then so be it."

"Solon." Jay pulled out his dagger, ready to fight. "Your end is near."