As always, thank you everyone for the reviews!

To Choclate unicorn: I appreciate the constructive criticism, and I have put some thought into how these events may effect all of them in the future. Your comment came a bit premature, you could say. In the next (and last) chapter, you will get a glimps at the effects these events have had on these three Storm Hawks in the present-day. But still, you made a very good and insightful point. Also, I'm flattered that you like my use of the song lyrics enough to try it out yourself!

Disclaimer: (Do I really have to?) I do not own the Storm Hawks, nor the song "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap which was quoted throughout.

Chapter 5: Blood and Tears

Trains and sewing machines (oh, you won't catch me around here)

Piper's father picked her up once again, his daughter not having moved from the spot he'd placed her when they had first arrived. Flinging the full canvas bag over his shoulder, the ragged and tired looking man made his way to the front door.

Stopping in the doorway, the pair took one last glace at what used to be their home.

"Lets get out of here." Piper's father sighed, closing the door behind him.

Both shot to attention at the sound of approaching skimmers and loud voices.

"What's the point of doing a third sweep? They're all dead." snarled an unknown voice.

"Quit complaining." grumbled another voice, "I've got better things to do too, but Master Cyclonis insists on the three sweep policy."

Piper's father darted behind the nearest building, the still heavy smoke helping to hid them. His darting eyes told Piper that he was forming a plan. However, the occupied man was too lost in his thoughts to see the log that lay in his path. He tripped, dropping both bag and girl to the dirty ground.

Piper hit hard, but not a peep came from her. Pushing herself up with her hands, she looked around in the haze to try to find her father. What she saw made her blood run cold.

Next to the little girl lay a young boy. He lived only a few houses down from her. They had played together often. His skin was pale and face was frozen in fright. His eyes were wide open, the gloss of death fading the once bright blue orbs.

Making the first sound she had in hours, Piper screamed. She screamed and screamed, but couldn't move. She was frozen, just like the child that lay beside her.

Blood and tears (hers)

Silence. Loud and deafening.

That's what Finn woke too.

He didn't know how long he'd been asleep. He just knew that his neck was stiff from his balled position on the hard closet floor. He stretched, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Standing, he cracked the door open to peek out.

When will the game be over?

When it's silent and you can't hear anything at all.

He listened. Not a sound could be heard. The world was deathly still.

He quietly crept out of the room. Repeating his journey down the hall, he stopped outside of Grace's door.

Apprehension filled him, sticking the inside of his chest like thick oatmeal. He didn't quite understand the feeling or the reason for it, but it paused his procession.

He gazed at the door, which he'd partially closed on his way out on his previous visit. It was dark now. Night had fallen. The hall had no windows, so not even the dim light from the moon could illuminate the door before him. Finn didn't need it. He'd memorized every grain in the wood a long time ago. Once something was slammed in your face enough, you got to know it pretty well.

Not that he blamed Grace for slamming the door in his face. More often then not, he had deserved it. But, he would always stand outside the door, staring at it patiently, until she once again opened it, so he could apologise.

Taking a deep breath, Finn pushed the door and allowed it to swing open.

The full moon shone through the window, lighting up the small room. Grace lay where he'd left her. The rays of light shone off her golden strands of hair, the trails of tears that ran down her face, the burgundy pool of blood on the floor.

Finn walked over to his sister's unmoving form. Bending, he shock her shoulder. "Grace?"

She didn't respond.

So, he shock her a bit harder.

"Grace?"

Her head lolled from side to side.

"Grace!?!"

He had both hands on her shoulders now, shaking her as hard as he could.

"Grace! Wake up!"

He felt tears steaming down his face.

"Wake up! Why won't you wake up, Grace?"

Sobs began to wrack his tiny frame.

"Grace!"

They were here first

Finn stopped his actions. She looked so peaceful. Her eyes were lightly shut, and though there were tear streaks running down her fair checks, there was a smile playing on her lips. Finn thought she looked a lot like mommy and daddy, when they laying in the nice wooden boxes. Before they were put in the ground.

Realization hit Finn like a tone of bricks.

Standing, he took a step back from his sister's body. More tears began to fall as he shook his head in defiance. No. This couldn't be happening. Not again.

But it was. Something deep inside him told him it was true. Grace was gone. Just like mommy and daddy. She was gone and wasn't coming back.


Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmm that you only meant well?
Well of course you did

Suddenly, her father emerged from the dark cloud surrounding her. He scooped up Piper with ease, not stopping his full out sprint.

There was no chance of sneaking quietly away now. The jungle was not an option either, they would be found eventually. They're only chance was to make a break for the skimmers, and hope that one was still intact.

"Shush, Piper." he tired to claim his daughter, who was crying hysterically, "You have to try to stay quiet."

Piper did her best to obey her father, swallowing back her sobs and holding in her tears.

Her father gave a relieved sigh as they found a skimmer that appeared to be in working order. He placed Piper on the seat, opening a compartment in the back to find the crystals needed to power the flying machine. They no longer had their canvas bag, having lost it in the fall.

The shouts and heavy footsteps of the Talons were getting closer and closer.

"The evil men are going to catch us, Papa." Pipe whispered worriedly.

"They won't lay a finger on you Piper, I promise." he father answered, giving her a strong, but quick embrace, a look of determination on his face.

"These are the crystals you need to fly," her father held up three crystals, placing them in his daughter's hands, "Turn the handle for more gas, and this button on the side here is to deploy to wings."


Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmmm that it's all for the best?
Of course it is

Piper gave her father a confused look. Why was he telling her all this? He would be the one flying the skimmer.

From his pocket, her father pulled out a necklace. It was simple, a blue, diamond shaped crystal attached to a little brown cord. Her mother had always worn it. Piper had been told it had been passed down through her family for generations.

"Remember everyone, Piper." her father said as he tied the crystal around her neck, "Remember where you come from and who you are."

Giving Piper one last kiss on the forehead, her father stood, picking up a long, thick board from the ground.

"Don't look back, Piper." he told her, back turned to her, "Just keep going until you're sure it's safe. And don't ever come back, no matter what"

"Papa?" Piper questioned fearfully, not totally understanding her father's words and actions.

Without looking, her father tossed a crystal into the skimmer. The engine glowed as the skimmer shot forward, taking Piper with it. Not knowing what else to do, she deployed the wings, and felt herself being lifted into the air.

Turning back, she caught one last glance of her father, standing tall as two Talons ran at him, weapons raised.


Mmmm whatcha say?
Mmmm that it's just what we need
You decided this

Finn sat in a ball on the floor. He rocked back and forth as he cried uncontrollably into his knees.

You have to go hide.

"No, I didn't." Finn sobbed.

The game isn't over yet.

"But it was over!" he screamed, looking up angrily at his sister's still form, tears and snot running down his face, "They were all gone! They didn't come back!"

But I lost, Finn. The Talons found me.

"You didn't have to lose." Finn said sadly, turning his gaze to the floor, "You're better at the game then that."

Win the game for me?

"I don't want to win the game anymore." Finn mumbled, silent tears spilling from his bloodshot eyes.

Whatcha say?
Mmmm what did she say?

Everything's going to be okay. Mom and dad are watching over us. Remember?

"Will you watch over me too?" Finn asked, gazing at Grace's pleasant face, "Will everything be okay if you and mommy and daddy are all watching me?"

I love you.

"I know." Finn smiled sadly, his hand raising to rub where her lips had grazed the skin of his cheek.

Well, that's the second last chapter in this fic! I'm almost done torturing these poor souls (for now...)

I really hope you're all enjoying this fic. I've tired to make it unique and realistic, and I hope it came through.

Thanks for reading, and please review!