why, hello.

yes, yes. i know. i'm horrible, i haven't updated, and the natives are getting restless.

well, folks. here it is. i'm sorry it's so short, but i barely had any time tonight, and i'm just writing this as i go along so it was either this or nothing. plus, i liked how it ends. but please don't scroll all the way down and look at the ending. you'll ruin the whole chapter!! and that would be the epitome of sadness!!!!

also---- just about every one who reviewed (thanks guys. you're flippin awesome) wanted FAX so here's some of that! :)

but i just want you guys to know that i will never ever ever EVER have M-rated stuff like lemons or cussing or seriously creepy angst or anything in my story. EVER. i'm a Christian, and that kind of stuff will NEVER be published in this. Not just because i'm a Christian, but because i hate it when people ruin a perfectly good story with crud like that. so there you have it, folks: i'm a cleanie. :P

lastly, please review!!!!! it gives me hope on a rainy day!!!!!! hypothetically speaking, of course. but it does motivate me to update faster! so REVIEWWW!! and feel free to contribute suggestions, constructive criticism, all those wonderful goodies. everything helps!! it's all for the cause!!

so here's the magnificent, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, CRAZY-MAZIN' CHAPTA FOTEEN!!!!!!!!!!

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"Ouch," I muttered when a red-hot piece of ashy material landed on my bare hand. I blew on the flushed skin, and waved my hand around.

"You okay?" Fang asked me, looking up from where he was standing, fiddling with the dials on an old-fashioned radio, trying to get a signal.

I nodded and stuck my hands into the pockets of my sweatshirt stubbornly. Fang looked at me impassively for a second, then turned back to his task at hand.

I sighed and leaned back on the small, spindly cot covered with a ratty blanket. Fang and I had landed about a half hour ago, and upon entering

this little shack-thing (shack-thing being a total understatement. I'd been in cages bigger than this place), and found enough food for a couple

days, a bed, a fireplace, and a radio, which Fang was currently fooling around with.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. Even though I had camped out in other houses and cottages before, I got the strange feeling that this

was different. I had an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Just the coziness of this place gave me the willies. And that is just one more sign

of the brutally twisted fact that my life is totally, utterly, and completely messed up.

All of a sudden, I heard Fang say, "Got it," and a blast of static interrupted my thoughts. I sat up and faced the fire. "Getting any channels?"

Fang grunted. "Work in progress."

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see them. "I'm sure."

Fang gave up twirling some of the dials and came over to sit by me. "So…"

I shrugged. "So… what?"

Fang exhaled. "Max. You know what we need to talk about."

I played dumb. "Huh?"

"Max." He looked at me pointedly. Dang it. He's much too observant for his own good.

I groaned and massaged my temples. "Fang, do we really have to do this now?"

He was silent for a moment. "No. But we need to."

"Give me one good reason why we should."

"Give me one good reason why we shouldn't."

"'Cause I don't want to." Take that, Mr. Second-In-Command.

He paused again, looking down.

"Fang?"

He looked up at me through his hair, his eyes dark and secretive. "I need to, Max. I have to know."

I pulled my legs up underneath me, and in doing so, brushed our thighs together. I tried not to look at him, failing miserably, and found

that he was staring at me as well. He didn't move his leg.

"Max…"

I shivered, despite the fire's glowing warmth. "Yeah?"

His eyes bored into mine. "I'm sorry, it's just that…I'll never forgive myself if I don't do this." And with that, he kissed me.

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Everyone: Awwwwww...

Rylaine (in a talk-show voice) : Will Max face her true feelings? Or will she turn her back on her obviously true love and run away again? Find out next time when we re--

Readers (holding pitchforks) : WHAT??? YOU CUT OFF AT THE GOOD PART!!! PREPARE TO DIE!!!!!

Rylaine (sounding desperate) : Wait! All you have to do is... review!

Readers (looking at each other, puzzled) : Huh???

Rylaine (back to the talk-show voice) : That's right! And if you call now, we'll also throw in this EXTRA chapter! All you have to do is call the number on your screen!

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...or, you know, you could just click that little button down there cuz you feel sorry for me!!

..... (either way, i still get a review!)

yes, i'm evil. but you love me anyway.

laters, taters!

Rylaine