It's been three days since we found Marcus and he has lived with us. He has been getting better, he is able to walk around and take care of himself without our help. But I yesterday, I thought I caught him going through my book bag. I don't think that he noticed that I saw him. I hope he isn't one of Mac's followers who are after the ninja. The last thing we need is a Mac follower finding out I'm the ninja. We've got enough going on already; with Norrisville being under the power of the Sorcerer, and that the ninja is wanted for leaving Norrisville to defend for them self. I barley have time to sleep. Also I think that Marcus is smitten with Kat. I'm not jealous or anything, I've just noticed that he's been complimenting her, gazing into her eyes, he's even tried to hold her hand a couple of times. We need to take Marcus to one of those shelters soon. He's getting way too deep and is sticking his nose where it shouldn't be. "Kate, is he healthy enough to go yet? He needs to leave soon."

Kate turns to look at me, "Randy, I know you've been suspicious about Marc lately. But you have to give him time to heal, he lost all of his family, he doesn't have anyone who can take care of him. He should be able to leave though in about two days, if not then maybe a week. I know you said that you caught him going through your stuff Randy, but you're not 100% sure that he even saw the mask and book."

I turn away from looking at her. Why is Kate defending him? Why doesn't she expect the worse like I do? "If he's staying for that much longer, then you need to make sure that he doesn't fall in love with you. We're in the middle of a war right now Kate; we have no time for this nonsense. Also I feel like he's trying to brain wash you in some way. Just please be careful when you're around him."

Kate now sounds annoyed with me, "Wait, are you jealous Randy? Are you really jealous of some guy who picked up from the street who's just being nice to me? And what do you mean there's no time for love just because we're in the middle of a war? What about us, huh Randy? So since we're in a war, you and me can't be together. Is that what you're trying to say?"

I turn around to look at her; her blue eyes were beginning to tear up. I feel guilty and stupid for my choice of words. "Kate, I didn't mean it like that, I-" She starts to talk before I can finish.

"No Randy, you're right. We are in the middle of a war. I'm sorry that I fell in love with the most amazing person who ever came into my life. The person who may not have the normalist of hair. The person who showed me that no matter what is going on in the world, that love can always overcome it. I'm sorry Randy." She turns around breaks down in tears; she leans against the wall and slowly sets herself on the floor sitting up. I walk over to her and sit down next to her and put my arms around her. "I'm so sorry this all happened Randy, I'm so stupid. I should have never asked my father to transfer me to Norrisville high. None of this would have happened if I just stayed homeschooled."

I try to comfort her and hold her tight, "Hey, don't blame yourself. You know I hate it when you beat yourself up; it makes me feel like I'm hurting you. Kate, everything is going to be okay; we're going to make it through all of this, we just need to stick together. Okay? I'm here for you, Howy is here for you. We're here if you need us Kate just know that." Her deep crying slowly turns into soft sobs. She lifts up her head to look at me; she rubs away her tears with the wrist of her sleeve.

Her deep crying slowly turns into soft sobs. She lifts up her head to look at me; she rubs away her tears with the wrist of her sleeve. "I know I know. It's just, when you told me that there was no time for love in war, and I repeated it, it just made me imagine my life without you Randy. It was horrible; I was so alone and scared. I can't live without you and Howy, I need both of you to survive. I especially need you Randy. When you were gone for those six months, you were what was keeping me alive. Knowing that you would come again someday, and that if I wanted to see you again, I would have to stay alive. I cant live without you Randy. I just cant." She pauses for a moment, "Can you promise me something Randy?"

"Of course I can Kate. What is it?"

"Promise me that from this day on, we won't let anything get in the way of our love, and that you, Howy and me are going to stay best friends. No matter what." She looks at me with a face that I just can't say no to.

I smile at Kate, "Only if you promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me that you'll be my one and only true love." She smiles at me.

We finally both say at the same time, "I promise." I give her a kiss on her soft lips. We sit there on the floor together. It was nighttime so we both fell asleep together on the cold wooden floor. I hope that we can both keep our promises. I never want to break mine.

Before we fall asleep I whisper into Kate's ear, "Hey Kate."

"Yeah Randy?"

"I love you." I feel her smile as I hold her tight in my arms.

"I love you too Randy." We both fall asleep.

Do you trust Marcus? Or do you think that he's a thief and a lady stealer? Tell me your thoughts on this chapter and chapter 13. I know I haven't been writing as much as I used to, I've a bunch of family drama going on right now.