Chapter 5

He knocked, which was not what I was expecting. I let him in and he didn't say a word to me as moved inside, pulling a classic red wagon piled high with boxes of every size. He wheeled it over to the TV and sat on the couch. I followed him and collapsed next to him.

"Okay," he said after a long moment. "So, I have a PS2, PS3, and Xbox. Which one should be the best?"

"PS2."

He nodded and waved his hand at me. "Could you set it up, I don't know how."

I nodded and was about to set to work when I realized that it would mean me on my hands and knees, with my ass in the air. "You can set it up," I deadpanned. "You just want to see my ass."

He smiled. "That was the point."

Cheeky, little bastard.

I set it up regardless, him watching me the entire time. I couldn't wait until I had leave to knock his teeth out of his skull. It only took me a few minutes, and I was sitting next to him on the couch again.

"Okay," he said. "This is the fun part."

He then himself got on his hands and knees and began fiddling with the casing on the machine. "Shouldn't you unplug it first?"

"Says the girl who shoots lightning from her hands." Insert glare here. "Go do something else for a while, you'll only be a distraction."

/-/-/

So I made food. I felt like a wife, especially when I brought to him and he thanked me in that snooty little manner he always carries around with him. Why do all the smart people have to be the bad kind of weird?

As unfortunate as that was, I had to admit I was glad I met him. He was giving me a chance to get home and that more than I could have ever wanted from another person. Maybe I should give him a chance, at least try to like him.

Maybe this was my chance to find love for myself, as well. No has ever shown interest in me before. I know why, and it's never offended me because I never thought on it before. In truth, I was sarcastic, boyish, rude, and not pretty. I belched after every meal, loud enough to make a trucker blush, I pick my nose and scratch my butt, I hardly ever take care of my hair. My clothes are baggy, torn, and old. I'm not the ideal prize for most teenage boys.

I should look past his nerdy nature, maybe he could show love. Maybe I should give him a chance…

I walk out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of popcorn. I set it down on the floor next to him and he mumbles a thank you.

"Microbe," I said, getting his attention nearly immediately. "If we're going to be together, then you better start treating me right." I through my hand at him in an annoyed gesture. "Not like some trophy wife."

He was confused for a second, then his eyes seemed to light up. He shook his head enthusiastically at her. Still smiling wide, he stuffed his face with popcorn and went back to work.

/-/-/

He worked for several hours, slowly turning the playsation into something that resembled those freaky machines in the old horror movies. Parts of it glowed, and electric synapse glided from one point to another, and it generally looked creepy.

He was looking down at it when I walked in, a proud expression on his face. When he spotted me, he smiled and motion toward it. "I finished it." He looked at the clock. "And in only three hours."

"Does it work?" I asked.

"What?" It wasn't a question of his hearing but understanding. "Well, I think. It should, hypothetically."

Good enough for me. "Turn it on." I moved forward and pulled the case to Jak II out of my pocket. This was the very CD the transported me the first time. It had the scar to prove it.

I put it in the drive and watched it go in as Microbe was busying himself moving components around and flicking switches. The TV screen turned to the regular playstation screen. The picture then froze and stuttered, going black for a moment. Then the whole room was illuminated by the bright light that flashed through the room.

I felt an arm on mine, pulling me back and away from the TV as it began spewing bolts of lightning of every color. "Just wait a moment!" He had to yell to be heard over the growing roar that was the forming portal.

I knew he wanted to flee, to run away. I knew he was scared. This was dangerous to him, watching this portal to another dimension form in my living room. But to me, this was a blessing. I watched the lightning dance and tremble, so dangerous and beautiful. I wanted to touch them but knew I shouldn't.

It was so… indescribable. The way I felt. I don't know what I felt. Euphoric maybe. Scare, hopeful. Yes, very hopeful.

All of a sudden, the lightning calmed in a single snap and flash of light. Now the screen was just white. There was no noise, but so much atmosphere. The air seemed thinker, wetter.

Microbe showed up next to me a moment later. "It worked." He sounded genuinely surprised.

"You're surprised?" I asked. "You are a genius."

He looked at me and smiled. "I'm glad it was worth it for you."

I step forward, reaching out to touch the screen but find that nothing is there but a slight pulling on my fingers. "It's time for me to go."

"Wait!" He yelled, moving quickly to my side. "In case there is repercussions, I'll need to be able to pull you back."

"Repercussions?"

"Yeah, like people or creatures from the target world end up here somehow."

"Ah, yes. Good idea."

He handed me what looked like a little square computer chip about the size of my thumb, laced onto a nylon cord. He went around behind me and I gave him the liberty to put it around my neck himself. He seemed to linger there for only a moment more than necessary, before allowing me to go forward.

Once he was done, I moved to the TV again and stuck my hand in again. Then my arm, then my shoulder. I looked back at Microbe, and he was watching me with worried eyes, genuinely worried eyes. It was the last thing I knew before a bright white light, then nothing but darkness.

XXX

A/N: Cliff hanger!

Broken Wolf/D.R.M.