Author's Note: I didn't want to be repetitive or anything, so the last chapter is its own thing now. So anyway, this chapter has all of the important characters in it. (Sage will pop up of course). I hope you enjoy it! And happy New Year (Late I know)! Hopefully, 2007 will bring good things to this story as you all have! Thank you for supporting me! Now in this story, there is foreign language reference, but since I don't speak it and I don't want to screw it up with an online translator, so it will be in italics like so.

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Chapter Nine

"ANGELA! ANGELA!" These desperate cries repeated against the city's buildings. Ralph dashed blindly in any direction with people, his eyes peeled to find his lost girlfriend. Feet behind was Jack, who had already lost his breath and his patience. Angela was not turning up anywhere, and Roger had made it all the more difficult by making himself lost. His teeth clicked as he bit down on the grown out nail on his pointer finger. The habit minimized the gut twisting anguish that prodded Jack's body at the thought of Roger's health. Digging into the pocket of his pants, he reminded himself that something necessary was missing...Something Roger needed. What's happened? If he's alone, he's in danger, but if he's with Angela…she's in for worse…

The fountain that sat in the in the middle of the city flourished with fresh water, spilling it over ever side of concrete. A rather lonesome looking girl sat and looked at her reflection. "This is bad…What am I going to do? I can't let Ralph see me like this!" Angela fretted over her features, jumping at every pair of feet that surrounded her. What am I gonna do?! I don't have enough makeup in my purse!

She'd already seen both Ralph and Jack, but she avoided them fearfully. "If they see me like this, then brother will get angry." Dabbing her hand on one of her cheeks, a piece of something flesh colored floated to the waters of the fountain and dissolving into nothing. The usually bouncy blonde was distraught beyond anyone else's knowledge. What was happening at that very moment could alter the entire course that had been set from a long time ago.

The tears only made it worse, and she could only see more of herself with each drop of fright. Cover up rode the tears away from her face and left her looking like someone anew. Her mind thought back to the warning someone had given her the last time they met. "If anyone sees you the way you really are before I say so, you'll be in trouble." "I'll…" "ANGELA!" The hollers were Ralph's and he was closing in. The voice that had foreboded anyone from her true form whipped her feet, urging her to run. Not now! Off she took, just missing a stumbling figure as she dashed away.

Babyish sobs dodged through dispassionate mobs of faceless people. No one seemed to mind the fact that their rough bumping and ceaseless noise was scratching into a throbbing mind like a thousand rusted nails. "Please stop," Roger begged meekly, taking on another careless onslaught of pushes as the other busy residents walked past. "H…Help…" The terrified black eyes turned towards the window of a shop just in time to catch the sun's reflection that bounced in his direction. The bright blades slashed into his skin and shook his entire body. "No! NO NO!" His lungs were pushing air out as fast as they could, but everything seemed to be shutting down. "Shade…Shade…"

The splendid laughter of children circled the walkway leading to a small park. The trees swayed calmly and pranced along with the playful kids. A lone voice hummed as its footsteps rhythmically strolled forward. They dodged puddles and smoothed the path of wet leaves that had cleverly hid themselves against the gravel ground. "Looks like nothing here got drowned out either. I worried too much I suppose."

Sage had a wide grin stretched on his face like always, his eyes taking in the midday scenery. Leaves bowed a hello with drops of refreshing rainwater drumming against the small pools they had created. Two young playmates noticed the upbeat botanist speaking to himself when their small red ball planted itself in his path. Before they could cry out, his height disappeared into a blur of clumsiness, his face drowning itself in the nearest trap of water.

"Why do you always do that? You always tell us to look before we walk! What about you?" Commented a boy with scraggly brown locks who bent down to look Sage in the face. His raspberry colored lips pursed and his head shook back and forth, taking his mop top hair for a spin. A goofy grin surfaced and water jetted out with a spit. The second boy pushed a few strands of black out of his face and gave a few sheepish giggles before helping the man to his feet. "I apologize for my brother. You know how he can be," sighed the young man who turned his attention to his troublesome sibling who'd taken it upon himself to chew into the slippery rubber of the ball he'd played with. "Don't do that!"

Sage rung out a few locks of his hair, shrugging at the little good it did. "I suppose I just must get wet today!" His hands patted the heads below him as he passed, bidding them farewell, but stopping when he was called back. "WAIT! You really need to see this! It's wild!" The ruffian child would not take any answer other than yes, and even though he never got it, he forcefully yanked Sage towards the very path he was planning on taking. "What do you have to show me Oliver?!" The partially unwilling adult queried while trying to slip from the tight grip guiding him towards a strange setting of flowers. "Why are we going so fast?!"

The blonde botanist winced as Oliver dragged him to the ground right in front of the bush, putting his finger to his lips to warn Sage of silence. "You have to be REALLY quiet. It won't move, but there's some kind of monster," whispered the boy, his olive eyes expanding as Sage's hand separated the array of leafy greens. A breathe seeped through the opening. It was panicking and something rushed back and forth. The two discoverers crept forward bit by bit and a branch snapped under a hand. The figure made a strange squeaking sound and something flashed in their direction. Before it could bolt, Oliver pounced and caught hold of something soft. "Oliver, dear dear boy…this is a rabbit…" The earth toned rabbit squirmed ferociously and managed to escape the horrifying humans. "NO! I saw something else here! I swear Sage! I swear! Ask Nicol!" The gesture made was supposed to be for the shy boy next to him, but no one stood beside Oliver. "Wha…NICOL!? NICOL?!"

The impatient hollers had no effect on Nicol, who had taken it upon himself to find where the real treasure lay. It was true, he and his younger brother Oliver had stumbled upon something beneath a bush, but the sounds it made turned them away before they could even gaze upon it. Obviously, it was mobile since it had known of their arrival and ran into a bush of Hollyhocks and Narcissus flowers instead. The odd pairing must have caught the runaway's eyes and Nicol was sure it was where the hider lay.

The dark haired boy looked over both of his shoulders before crouching down. For some reason, he found it more exciting to uncover the mysterious wonder by himself. Before he took his first movement, a phantom moan crawled from beneath the bush, sounding as though someone was being dragged through shards of broken glass. It forewarned the edgy explorer from proceeding further into the unknown jungle. After considering and reconsidering more than once, Nicol decided to stretch an arm into the rooted bouquet and ended up touching a small piece of softness that caressed his finger. He cocked his head and rubbed two fingers against the silky object. He couldn't quite figure out what the supple strip was.

Another twitch from the hidden wonder sent his hand back, but his curiosity urged him to force it forward again. He bent down so his stomach pressed into the grass and his grey eyes tried to find any other clue that might be lying around. Coming up with nothing, he followed his first instinct and greedily dove into the protective flowers to find another piece of the warm feeling. His smile grew pleased with each rub and his fingers could not hold back their desire for the material. Something this fluffy and quiet could only mean a gentle creature or a rich trinket. "Let's see if…" Suddenly, a burning pain rung against his wrist and twisted it sideways. A lone hand had pushed its way through the patch and yanked the entire boy into the flowers and onto his back.

A few rays of light pricked his eyes to keep him from fainting. Nicol was a weak child, always giving in to his fears and passing out. His mother had told him that's why his body was the way it was. God didn't have time to make his eyes darker or his skin lighter because Nicol had already passed out. "Ouch," he lamented while rubbing the pain from his temples. "Why were you doing that?" Demanded a bad tempered voice.

Rolling his head sideways, Nicol's face brushed against a darker skin tone. The two eyes glared at him resentfully and the voice spoke with the same irritated tone, if a little weaker for an unknown reason. "Answer me. Why were you doing that? I'm not a puppy!" The tone of the voice coiled around Nicol as if it were a carnivorous python squeezing the sickly life out of him. His words refused to come from the safety of his throat and only his name could be released uneasily. "Nicol…my name…"

"I didn't ask your name. I asked what you were doing!" The fearful explorer found no possible way to respond and shut his eyes, his arms folding in front of his face so their eyes could not meet. He heard an exasperated sigh and braved a look. The sunlight helped him see a little better and a form appeared. It was curled in a black leather jacket and it wore long baggy jeans. Loose ringlet curls fell over the beads of perspiration dotted on his face. A devilishly handsome sufferer. "Oh god sunlight," it roared, crawling over the quiet lad below him without a care. "W…Why hiding…?" Nicol clammed up with the revealing of his accent.

The shadowy other seemed to take a strange interest in what was just said. "Say something else," he ordered in a hoarse voice, slowly turning to the raven haired foreigner. "Uh…I do not…understanding…what to say…" That was all that was stammered out before the other spoke in a milder manner. "Don't know how to hide your accent for very long. You are from Ukraine, aren't you?" The eloquent pronunciation left Nicol a bit stunned, but more eager to answer. Yes I am. How do you know my language…? You don't look like you are from Ukraine."

"My father's an ambassador and I have had the pleasure of going there when I was younger. I guess you have your reasons for being here, especially after the past few years." A dreadful expression crossed the visible part of the Ukrainian's face and he responded solemnly. I didn't want to come here, but I didn't want to be there. I didn't have a choice… The streams of light that broke through the leaves scattered as a tan hand waved around drearily. "Please. Choices and free will are all up to you. Any other option would be your own problem."

"How would someone who is the son of an ambassador know anything about life? You've probably lived in big houses and seen nothing but light since you've been alive. How would you…" "DON'T! Strangers who stay stuff like that get killed. This is England, not Ukraine, so get it straight. Especially if you ever dare to cross me again. That's for sure," the faceless voice warned, clearing his throat to try and mitigate the oncoming dizzy spell that was blending his surroundings. "You sound familiar…Can you tell me your name, if it is alright to ask?" A dead silence fell between them and Nicol gradually sat up at the rough breathing that his acquaintance began making. "R…Roger…"

Something wasn't right, Nicol knew that for sure. He bent over Roger, moving the twists of hair from his face. A pair of cold black eyes stared straight at him, never turning away from their current position once. It was as though they were looking nowhere. "Why don't you speak? Roger? Roger?!" Roger did not seem like the type to remain at peace for very long, so this situation seemed odd to Nicol, who began to rise in an attempt to call his brother and Sage, but a trembling grip stopped him. "Don't go Jack! Wait!" "Jack, what? Roger what's wrong with y…?!"

A blade of lightning must have sliced through the drained body, for its repeated jumps were monstrous and couldn't be controlled. Every muscle in Roger's body stood out and his back began pushing off against the ground. The grey in Nicol's eyes watered like melted snow as a tart kiss cut into his lips unintentionally. "I…I be back! Do not worry!" He promised, trying to remain calm and suck away the bite's blood. Roger could feel his grip on the girlish hand loosening and he could only see the number on the boy's wrist before he left him

A crossing from three ways all met in one concluding spot and anyone who took the path would meet up with someone. This time, each path was taken and the meeting was rough. Jack and Ralph were the first to make their stop, catching their breath. The second was Angela, who had been staring in a compact until her boyfriend grabbed hold of her. "Angela!" "Ralph?!" Jack shamefully turned his head away from the reunion, meeting with his newfound friend. "Sage?!" The older man halted at the sound of his name and the two boys behind him stopped. One had a handkerchief pressed to his lip and red seemed to capture more of the white with each passing minute. The other hopped in excitement and urged Sage to continue on. "Jack," the older blonde breathed, switching the position of the limp body in his arms. "ROGER?!"

"Roger?!" Angela spun around at the name, much to Ralph's surprise and dismay. Both Jack and Angela checked the condition of the lifeless body, but Sage shook his head. "We have no time for this. I'm taking him to the hospital!" The car that would be the transportation was only a few blocks away, and the group of three who found Roger took towards it. "I'm coming with you!" Jack hollered to their backs, sprinting to catch up. After bumbling between her boyfriend and the rush, Angela pursued as well. "WAIT! I NEED TO GO TOO!" The parade of panic was far ahead of him, and Ralph knew not what to do. "So that's Roger…" He'd already been told what this so called 'beast' would do to him, but he seemed harmless…and HIS girlfriend was taking off after him. "Oh hell!" He screamed to the sky as he followed.

"I don't have enough room for all of you! The car only has three other seats," Sage advised in a hurried voice. Nicol and Oliver knew their places were secure, and they slipped into the vehicle without protest from anyone. The other three stood in thought. "I have to go! Please!" Begged Angela, her hands clasped together. "I do also," added Jack with a sigh. Ralph kept his silence and didn't give his opinion to anything. Sage, in no mood for tomfoolery, put his hand over his face and contemplated to himself, snapping his finger when a conclusion hit. "Oliver, you sit with Nicol and you two hold the young boy. Young lady, you sit up front and help me find the hospital. Jack, you and your friend can sit in the back. Since there are no seat belts there, please be careful."

No one complained or tried to compromise their position. The entire group crowded into the dusty blue contraption and it sped down the street. The only ones talking were Sage and Angela, who bravely directed him through the blurring streets. Nicol kept one hand on his wound and the other on the chest of the one who inflicted it. He pondered what in the world he'd gotten himself into. Oliver, who was already overwhelmed by the adrenaline, was nodding off against the door, never letting go of the treasure. Crouched in the back, Jack kept his hands together in prayer, murmuring any biblical name that came to mind. Ralph eyed him silently, questioning why someone who wanted to plot against Roger would pray for him and why his girlfriend was involved in the mess at all.

But no one spoke a word…

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Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was kinda jumpy and confusing. I was working on this for hours! Well, this is my first addition for 2007 and hopefully I'll get more viewers, since the numbers seem to go down per chapter. Anyway, thanks for your support, I love you all! Everyone is hiding something, hm? Heads up, the next few chapters will be in the hospital and more of the main problems will arise so keep a look out!

Thanks for reading!