The morning found us entering a village on the mainland of Guatemala… Dullard and Noodle were asleep; she had been cold in the front and had flipped into the back alongside 2D.

I checked the rear view mirror to check on them. Noods's face was covered by her bangs and she was huddled near Ache-Face for warmth. I frowned, turning my head slightly to see a smug smile pasted on the singer's face. The warmth of the sun fell on my skin as I lit a cigarette, looking out the windscreen at the houses passing by.

My stomach rumbled, it had been a good nine hours since I'd eaten last. I heard rustling and I looked to see Brain-Ache slouched more in his seat so Noodle was now resting on his chest, her breathing heavy and deep.

I'm goin' teh kill that cocky son of a bitch I told myself, looking at the singer's sleeping face with great disdain. I pulled off onto a turnout where it looked like a restaurant might be. The smell of pancakes reached me and my stomach growled again.

I turned the car off, whipping around to slap 2D on the cheek. He started, jerking Noodle so she poked her tired head up, confused as to how she ended up in that position. I smiled at her and she blushed, giving a little grin in return.

"Luv, we're 'ere at a restaurant if ya want teh get somethin' teh eat." I said, clearing my throat. 2D opened the door but my glare stopped him short.

"Wot?" he asked innocently.

"You an' me are gonna 'ave a lil' talk." I said darkly. He shuddered and Noodle looked a little afraid for his well being.

"Murdoc…" she trailed. I smiled at her reassuringly.

"Don' worry luv, not about anythin' bad. You go on ahead an' we'll see you inside." I assured her. She nodded slowly before exiting the car and walking towards the smell. I waited until she was out of view and then grabbed the bastard by his shirt and brought him to within an inch of my face. His black holes were wide with fear as he uselessly flailed.

"No! No! Murdoc !-"

"SHUT UP!" I shouted into his face, he stopped and went limp. I saw tears in his eyes, like he thought I was going to kill him. "Now listen 'ere." I said, tightening my grip. "Noodle is mine, an' you don' wan' a repeat of wha' 'appened las' time I had teh remind you of that now do I? You're only her friend." I stated. He nodded furiously and I let him go, satisfied.

"It was an 'onest to god accident Muds." He claimed, I shrugged and put my hands in my pockets.

"Doesn' matter, know you now." I replied. He nodded and we walked in silence until we found the little restaurant. Noodle was sitting on a chair outside, waiting. When she saw us she stood up and smiled.

"I couldn't get anything to eat, I can't speak Spanish." She said, looking at 2D, a puzzled look in her eyes. Obviously she was confused because there were no bruises and/or gashes.

I grasped her hand and led her in, my knowledge of the language helping us get settled with a few plates of food. By the end of the first round of platters and pancakes, Brain-Ache was clutching his stomach and smiling contentedly. I was leaning back, cleaning my pointed teeth with a toothpick. Noodle was doodling idly on a napkin. I looked over at what she was drawing and I saw a desert with a simple plastic bag rolling around on it. A cartoon version of 2D appeared to be in the distance. I smiled at the juvenile scribbling.

"I like the artwork luv, very snazzy." I said, she looked up at me, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

"I didn't know you were watching," she said quietly.

"Course I'm watchin' Noods," I scoffed playfully. "I like it though." I said. She grinned and began drawing something else. I watched as my face appeared on another piece of napkin, along with hers, and we were in each other's arms.

"Do you like it?" she asked. I nodded.

"You even got me inverted cross." I commented. She handed the piece of paper to me, expecting me to take it.

"Here, for you Mudoc-chan." She said, piercing me with those mesmerizing green eyes. I took it and shoved it hurriedly into my pocket as the waitress came around.

"Money?" she said, in broken English. I sat up, looking for my wallet. I realized it was in the car and I stood up, casting a glare at the woman, who gave an impatient huff.

I shook my head as I stepped into the already muggy morning. The Jeep was around the hedge and I walked steadily, hands in my pocket. My shoulder was throbbing distantly but I pay it no attention as my mind was working fast.

Little pink plastic bags blowin' on the highway… Notes were falling into place, I thought of that little bag Noodle had drawn. I smiled to myself.

"Mudsey," I said aloud. "You really came through this time; she's beautiful, gentle, loving, and now my inspiration!" I pondered the wonders of love, what they had done to me and I wasn't concerned at all by it.

I turned the corner and froze as a very familiar form was sitting in the driver's seat. The Boogieman.

"Y-y-y-y-"

"Oh spare me," it wheezed. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my skin painfully. "You escaped from me, but a deal's a deal and you cannot outrun me, because you can't escape yourself."

"Myself?" I asked. "What the hell are you runnin' yer trap about?" I demanded, the thing coughed before reaching into its cloak and pulling out my father's knife again, examining it.

"I am you're demons Murdoc." It said, looking straight at me. "You can't run from your evil. Though you have been harder to track for some reason, no doubt that wretched female in the restaurant has been weaning you off the steady diet of hatred you're so accustomed to. I located you only after three days of searching."

My head was swimming. "You're lying." I said, shaking my head. "Where's your ship? You were supposed to 'ave lost us."

"I go where you go." It replied idly, its form rippling until I was staring at myself. I clutched my head.

"Stop it!" I snarled.

"No." It responded simply. "You're mine now… but of course; you could pick the coward's way. Let's a make a trade. A soul for a soul, there's loads better people out there I would have fun torturing in hell." The Boogieman said, cleaning his fingernails with the knife. His form shimmered again and it was my dad. I felt sick.

"No, please don't." I pleaded. My father looked at me with dull, uncaring eyes.

"You don't see, a deal's a deal. I need a soul, like you promised me, where's your honor?" he said, a hint of mocking in his voice. He stood up and got out of the car, looking at me with his ugly mismatched eyes. "I need it more than you do; you're not good for anything, a waste of flesh." He hissed, walking toward me, his long fingers outstretched.

They clasped around my arm and I felt my consciousness waver. I attempted to shrug it off but nothing happened, if anything his grip tightened. "Time to go," he whispered faintly, the Boogieman's form returning to his original state.

Then, almost as if it was through his touch, I came alive again. A rage filled me I didn't even know I could summon. I raised a fist, cocked it back, and punched his square in the face. The Boogieman groaned but didn't fall. He raised a hand to me and I fell over, unable to move. "Lemme go you bastard!" I spat. He shook his head, shape shifting into me again.

"You will be punished." He wheezed, wiping some blood off of his mouth. I fought against the invisible binds but to no avail.

"…Muds..?" I turned my head to see Ache-Face standing a few feet away, obviously confused and frightened.

"2D! Run! Take Noodle." I cried. The Boogieman stepped forward, kicking me in the ribs, causing me to gasp in pain. I shook my head desperately, attempting to form words.

"Stuart…" the Boogieman said slyly, extending a hand. The singer seemed mesmerized, and went to touch the withering fingers. A wide grin broke out onto the form of the demon, as he changed from my form back to his sickly self. He yanked 2D closer and they were gone.

"I'll have LOADS of fun with this one…" the Boogieman's voice echoed as I sat up, free of the binds, and looked at the empty spot where they were standing a few seconds ago.