Finally. This chapter has been in my head for so long and I'm finally able to get it out on paper. Err...Microsoft Word I mean. Please don't stop reading and reviewing this story. I have future chapters in my head to. Just need to get them out. Thank you!

It was late evening the next day. The whole town seemed unusually empty and gray. Melina and Reno were the last ones to leave the building.

"You can go ahead, I'll just lock up." Reno slipped the key into the door.

"Okay, but don't expect me to wait for you." Melina started walking.

"That's fine. I'll just be checking you out from behind then." Reno smirked as he twisted the key and then pulled it out. Melina stuck her tongue out at him, playfully. "You asked for it."

"You'd better not be thinking of me as some sort of object, Reno. That'll piss a girl off, you know?" She didn't really mean it. Melina kind of liked it when Reno thought she was hott or whatever.

"Well, I sure wouldn't wanna do that." Reno had starting walking too, but he was a little bit behind Melina. They had been shouting to each other over buildings and around street corners. They could keep a conversation going like this since it was a small town and there was nobody else there. Nobody else there? "Melina? Where are you?"

"Reno I'm right here by the bakery."

"I don't like you being by yourself. Wait for to me to get there."

"Fine, I'll wait, slowpoke." Melina pretended to be frustrated and impatient. She turned towards the bakery and pressed her face to the window. It was dark, but she could see the counter and the tables and the reflection of the man behind her. Melina jumped.

"Let's play." It was one of the silver-haired trio, who had threatened her yesterday night. He grabbed both of her wrists with one of his hands and pulled her away from the bakery.

"Reno--!" This was all she was able to scream before the man covered her mouth.

"Melina! Hang on!" Reno began to run with his long legs, until he was met by the long silver-haired fellow. "Get out of my way!" Reno tried to pass him.

"Hnh." The man's smile was pure evil. He stopped Reno with a swift movement of his foot. Reno was kicked back. This made him very angry.

"Get out of my damn way!" Reno pulled out his rod and a fight commenced.

A few blocks away the man was holding onto Melina as Kadaj made his way to them.

"How nice to see you again. Now I'm only going to ask this once. Where are you keeping the girl?" Kadaj spoke into Melina's face. "Loz." The other man let go of Melina's mouth.

"What do you want with her?"

"Ah, so you do know who I'm talking about."

"What? I thought you said…" Melina couldn't believe that she was so stupid to admit that she knew who he was speaking of.

"Good, so we're on the same page." Kadaj began to slowly pace in front of her.

"Well I'm not keeping her anywhere."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kadaj stopped pacing. He looked angrier than before.

"She was staying with me, but I couldn't take care of her and…she's just not with me anymore." Kadaj tugged on the ends of his gloves.

"Then where is she!" He smacked Melina across the face with the back of his gloved hand.

"Unh. Why should I tell you?" Melina's cheek burned.

"Because if you don't. My brother will finish off your boy toy over there." Melina knew he meant Reno.

"He has nothing to do with this."

"Oh, he has everything to do with this."

"Aaaaaggh!" Reno's pain could be heard. Melina's heart pounded hard in her chest.

"Okay, she's in an orphanage on the east side of town. Just leave him alone." Melina spoke fast.

"Ha! Am I supposed to believe that?"

"Why not? She's not my child. And if her whereabouts will get you out of my face…"

"I see." Kadaj shot his hand up into the air. The earth beneath them began to tremble. Melina gasped and backed into Loz, who still had her by the arms. Loz grinned at her.

"Don't do that?" Melina cried at Kadaj.

"Where ever she is, that little girl is going to be feeling that tonight. Where ever she is. C'mon Loz." Kadaj walked away from them. He was joined by the long-haired boy. Loz brushed Melina's cheek with his hand.

"We'll play later."

"Reno! Reno where are you?" Melina found him sitting against the bakery door clutching his upper arm. Melina fell down beside him and wrapped her arms around his aching body. "Thank God."

"Are you okay?" He let go of his own arm and felt Melina's reddened cheek.

"I'm fine." She moved his hand away from her cheek. It stung when he touched it, but she didn't want him to know she was in pain. His pain seemed much more serious. "Should I get help?"

"No. It's just my arm. I can walk." Apparently Yazoo, named so by deduction, had smashed Reno's arm into the bakery window. Melina helped him up and to his house, which wasn't too far away. Caroline opened the door.

"Reno, what happened?"

"We were attacked by those morons I told you about." Reno spoke.

"Well I'm glad you two are home. Elsie doesn't seem to feel well." Caroline brought some ice out for Reno. He thanked her.

"What do you mean?" Melina asked.

"Come take a look for yourself. She was fine until about twenty minutes ago." Caroline led Melina to where Elsie was. Reno followed.

"Oh my God. What is that?" Melina saw that there was a dark rash-like mutation covering Elsie's left leg. Elsie began to cough.

"That rash was much smaller a few minutes ago, but she's been coughing."

Melina cradled Elsie in her arms. She wanted Elsie to be comforted more than she worried about catching whatever ailment Elsie had.

"Should I get a doctor?" Reno reached for the phone.

"No. I don't want anyone to know that she's here."

"But it might be serious." Caroline explained. Melina shook her head. "Do you want me to stay here and watch her?"

"That's okay, Caroline. You get some sleep." Melina didn't want to bother her.

"If you need anything, the both of ya, just call me." Both Reno and Melina thanked her and she went home.

"I'm going to see if a warm bath will help her stop coughing. Will you be okay, Reno?" Melina walked to the bathroom.

"Don't worry about me, I'll, uh, be fine. I got my ice, you know?" Reno rattled the packet of ice. Melina smiled at him and proceeded to bathe Elsie. Reno really didn't need too much assistance. He just wished that Melina cared a little more about him. He was trying not to be jealous of Elsie, but he couldn't help it. Sure, he wanted Elsie to feel better, but he needed a good rub down too.