Another chapter already? I should get some kind of medal for this.

To my reviewers:

Chalcedony Rivers: Haha, yay! They are such a cute couple, aren't they? I'm glad it's coming out well.

Amara15: I know, right? Those jerks. Hahaha. And yes, I've always regretted how long it takes the lion to appear in the Wizard of Oz. But hey? He's here now.

Also: Wassap with the lack of reviewers here? I really appreciate those of you who review regularly, but I think (or hope) I have more than three readers. I know it seems selfish, but I love seeing reviews. It can be really short or negative or anything, srsly. When I wrote for Pokemon, I'd get like a good 7-8 reviews per chapter sometimes. Are you guys gonna get beat by Pokemon?

On that note, I present chapter seven!

"So… uh, Angel, what brings a pretty young thing like you down here?" Collins asked with a grin as Angel carefully dabbed at his forehead.

She glanced sideways at Roger before replying, "We're on our way to pay a visit to Benny so he can help me get home."

"Benny!?" Collins sputtered. "You're associating yourself with him?"

"What, do you know him?" Roger inquired.

"Yeah. I hate him." Collins' voice was unwavering.

"Why?" Angel asked, her eyes wide.

"Because he's a jerk! These people all live in fear of the government – of him – and for what? So he can feel in-control? So he can rest easy knowing we're all paying for his greed? I don't know what's wrong with the guy, but somebody should do something about it!"

"If you hate him so much, why don't you do something about it?" Roger chided.

"Ah well, I have been. You know, spreading information, aiding various underground resistances. But we don't seem to even be making a dent in the situation, and it gets me into a shitload of trouble."

"Is that how you ended up here?" Mark questioned, gesturing to the alley ground.

"Yeah… that would be the work of some government cronies." Collins sighed dejectedly. "Sometimes I wish I could just go and give that bastard a piece of my mind."

"What's stopping you?" Roger asked, looking like he was beginning to get annoyed.

"Well, not having a death wish is a big part of it." Collins conceded.

"Well sugar, maybe you should tag along with us. You sound like you need to resolve this for yourself. Even if it doesn't work out, maybe you'll feel better knowing you really went for it. We'll be here for you." Angel placed a comforting hand on Collins' shoulder at the last sentence, and Collins felt his stomach flutter at the contact. He swallowed in an attempt to control the urge to touch her in return.

"Well, okay, I guess I should get out of here anyway. I'll come along." If it means I get to spend time with you.

Angel giggled and helped him to his feet, holding on to his hand a little longer than was necessary. He caught her eye and she winked at him.

Collins felt his heart soar again. Maybe his luck was starting to turn around.

Meanwhile…

"Ooh, Joanne! I have had the worst day!" Maureen burst dramatically into her lair and proceeded to throw herself down onto the bed.

"What's wrong?" Joanne swiftly glided over to Maureen's bed, her thick black shoes' muffled thump echoing on the ground. She started to rub her lover's back gently, awaiting an undoubtedly long-winded response.

"April's dead, baby, she was murdered!"

Joanne was taken aback. Normally, when Maureen had a bad day, it was because she couldn't find the right dress at her favorite store, or because a performance went poorly. But this was real bad news.

"Oh honeybear, what happened?" Joanne said soothingly, knowing Maureen really needed her.

"Some girl named Angel ran her over with a car, and then stole her favorite ring! Remember, the gold one she never took off from that ex-boyfriend what's-his-name of hers?"

Joanne, of course, knew of no such ring and no such what's-his-name because she barely knew April, but she took Maureen's word for it. "Why?" She pressed, honestly curious.

"I don't know! She was crazy! And she hates me! She's so mean, and I never did anything to her! Ugh…" Maureen's expression probably turned from sadness to disgust. "It must be because she's hanging around with that Mark. I wish he'd just get out of my life forever."

Now that was a name Joanne recognized. Mark; Maureen's ex-boyfriend.

"Yeah, I ran into him today too, just to make my day even worse. Do you know he was coming on to me? I was all: 'get over it, you had your chance!' I'm so sick of all of them." Maureen launched into another bout of sobs.

"Maureen, I'm sorry about what happened…"

Maureen sat up suddenly. "I want that ring." The tears were gone now, and they had been replaced by determination.

Joanne looked at her curiously.

"The ring! April's ring! I want it back. That stupid Angel shouldn't have it anyway. I just know that April won't be able to rest in peace until that ring is where it belongs: with me!"

"Maureen, I don't think –"

"Pookie, can you go get that ring form those people for me?" Maureen whined.

Joanne sighed. She should have seen it coming. "Maureen, I have a lot to do today, I don't want to go steal from a bunch of people I've never even met."

"It's not stealing, it's taking back what's ours." Maureen insisted.

Joanne rubbed her temples. "Look, Mo, I just don't think it's going to accomplish anything."

"But Joanne!" Maureen wailed.

"Well…"

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?" Maureen put on her best puppy-dog face and grabbed Joanne's hand gently.

Oh, I can't resist that face… Joanne thought helplessly. "Okay, okay, I'll go."

"Oh, !" Maureen squealed. "I think I'm gonna go take a hot back to calm my nerves after this stressful day!" She bounded out of the room before Joanne had a chance to give her a kiss goodbye.

Joanne flopped back on the bed. What am I doing here?