Chapter 24: One Explosive Veemon

We headed towards the apartment complex where Davis was staying - the place, I learned, where all of Matt's and Gabumon's friends had also stayed before their group was arrested. Since I had watched the arrest take place, I attempted to watch for familiar territory.

I quickly grew bored of this, and since Matt was staying particularily silent, I let my mind wander.

How quiet it was. It seemed most of Tokyo was that way now. The army had likely rounded up most of everyone in the city - and in only days, at that.

I kicked a rock as we walked. The sound was amazingly loud in this still environment.

"Ever wonder how your family is doing at a time like this?" Matt asked suddenly.

I stopped kicking the rock. "My family...?"

Thoughts began to rush through my head. My family. Were the conditions in the States the same as here? Everyone getting rounded up and imprisoned? Dad, Mom...were they captured?

And Sis...Angela...where was she now?

Matt continued, answering his own question in a faint voice. "While we were prisoners, we were taken to the mall in a truck. Before the truck took off, I looked into the truck next to ours...and there was my father."

Suddenly, a memory rushed back. I remembered Matt looking over to the other truck.

"You called out to him..." I added absentmindedly.

Matt stopped and looked at me, startled.

"Ro and me...we were under the truck." I explained, also stopping.

He nodded. "And then...I became really angry. And scared. The guards prodded me back..."

"You cried out in pain..."

A tear streaked down Matt's cheek. He turned away. "I almost Digivolved there. I didn't, but..."

I looked into the sky. I wasn't sure how to respond.

"It seems..." Matt stammered. "Those of us that were once...human...regain some human characteristics when our emotions get out of control."

I glanced at him again. Tiger boy looked better, his usual serious expression back.

"When our emotions get out of control, we Digivolve...usually." Matt continued.

"That's why you look more human." I realized. "Than Gabumon, that is."

Matt silently nodded. I could tell he was still thinking about his dad.

We started walking again. I found another rock and half-heartedly kicked it. "I have a mom...and a dad...and Angela, my sister..."

Matt nodded slowly as I droned.

"And...well...I dunno." I sighed. "We just need to stay positive, I think. Mom and Dad are probably okay...captured, likely, but probably okay...and Sis...well, she can handle almost anything! You do not want to mess with her!" I laughed.

Matt smiled for a moment too.

We continued our trip in silence - a much more comfortable one. Before I knew it, we were standing in front of a large apartment building.

"We're here." Matt stated simply.

I recognized the place quickly, though I noted that it was in more disarray than the last time; more rubble, more crumbling buildings.

We climbed the steps to the second level, walking gingerly. Many of the apartment doors were open, with a ransacked apartment waiting inside. Finally, we reached a closed door.

Matt knocked. Again. Again. Finally, a voice, whiny and high-pitched, cried out from inside.

"I TOLD you, I won't tell where they ARE!! SCRAM!"

Matt shook his head and sighed. The voice - Davis - seemed to almost have rehearsed this.

"Davis." Matt convicted, sounding almost fatherly. "Don't make me have to come in there."

"Matt? HA! Yeah right!" Davis responded. "If you even try to turn that handle, I'll blow us both SKY-HIGH!"

Matt and I recoiled in horror.

"No response, tough guy?!" Davis' voice was panicked, but threatening. "That's right! BOOM! As in a bomb! Explosives and a match, actually! I HATE this! I hate it all!!"

Matt glanced quickly at me, then pointed to a nearby window. I understood.

"Davis, wait. Can't we talk about this?" Matt bargained, buying me time.

I tried the window; it was locked, and would open no more than an inch.

"Talk? TALK?!" Davis shouted. "Can YOU make me human again? Huh? HUH?!"

Opening the window that one inch, I glanced at the lock. It was at the bottom of the window, near the sill.

"Maybe I can, Davis." Matt said intriguingly.

I positioned my head level to the lock and began to breathe - very slightly - a flicker of flame, quickly heating the lock.

"HA!" Davis sneered. "Lies! All lies!!"

The lock split in two. I opened the window all the way.

"Then what? What do you want from me?" Matt pleaded.

I entered the window with a quick but quiet hop, and found myself in a bedroom.

"I wanted you to LEAVE! But now I think I'll just KILL US BOTH!!"

I peered out of the bedroom to see the Veemon next to the front door, hovering a lit match over several sticks of dynamite.

"Wait! Davis! There's a better way!" Matt exclaimed desperately.

I grabbed a nearby broom.

"SHUT UP! ENOUGH TALKING!" Davis screamed.

The Veemon loosened his grip on the match.

I swung the broom. Direct hit on his head. He was out.

But the match wasn't.

It touched down atop the dynamites' fuses. They began to burn down, the flames approaching the sticks.

I bundled the dynamite frantically up into my arms. Searching quickly, I found a window on the other side of the room.

I ran to it. It was closed. Who cares.

I brought up my foot and kicked, my toe claws shattering the glass. I tossed the dynamite as hard as I could out the window.

"GET DOWN!" I screamed to Matt before following my own command.

Only half a second later, a large explosion rang loudly outside. The whole building rumbled.

I breathed deeply, still on the floor. I had survived without a scratch, but if I had been any slower.

"Xaiver...?" Matt called out.

I sat up. "It's on in."

Matt did. First he glanced at the knocked-out Veemon in the doorway, then at me sitting by the window.

"I knocked him out." I explained. "With a broom handle. The dynamite ignited."

Matt walked over to the window and looked out. "You threw it out there."

I nodded, standing. Glancing outside, I saw the crater left in the alley below the window. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good work." Matt sighed. "Let's get ourselves and Davis out of here before anyone shows up."

I agreed. Matt picked up the Veemon with a grunt, slinging him over his shoulder. We shuffled out the door.

Ed: Another year, another update. I have another chapter already lined up, but no time to post it! Wish me luck that I can bring the next one out soon!