Hello all my wonderfully lovely readers! Here is the updated chapter! (Not very obviously.) Naturally, my thanks go to detrametal and I do… not… own… Darksiders. As Dante once said: "No one thinks of how much blood it costs." That fits here in its own way. So read, review, enjoy, I don't care. I'm going back to bed.

I woke up to find myself lying on the ground in a completely new place. In one word, it was beautiful. If that drowned town we passed through to go find Hammer could be described as Spring, this place was Fall. The sparse brownish leaves on the trees helped with that description. We were standing on a floating rock in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. Other floating rocks could be seen farther off and from some of them waterfalls fell. Wonder where the water came from though.

Is this one o' those other worlds Big Red mentioned?

It seems I woke up just in time to hear Azrael's story.

"He came to me after his death. Abaddon. Alive, and I wanted so much to believe… I was such a fool…"

I got up with a yawn to join the angel, the Horseman, and the Watcher. Heaven knows why he was here though. That first part don't make too much sense but okay.

"Azrael - you saw Abaddon after he fell?" War asked, though it sounded more like a statement than an actual question.

"Saw him? I brought him here - to Eden."

Excuse me? Eden? As in Adam and Eve Eden? That Eden? Well shit…

"What treachery is this Azrael? Eden doesn't exist. Not any more…" said the Watcher.

Will you people please make up your minds whether Eden exists anymore er not?

"Ignorant sprite!" Azzy snapped, "I bore witness as the First Ones were cast out and the Garden fell to ruin!"

Looks pretty un-ruined ta me. Actually, it's kinda pretty.

"I could not let Heaven's first gift… and greatest weapon, simply rot, or worst, fall to darkness."

How is it a weapon?

"I… hid it away."

And I guess we should either thank er curse ya fer that.

"The Tree of Knowledge." Big Red said, sounding like he figured something out, "Then… Abaddon has been to the tree?!"

Azzy just kinda ignored him, which in my opinion wasn't a smart move, "You must draw upon its gifts now. If some way exists to stop the Destroyer, the tree will show it to you."

Oooh, I love presents!

"I never dared use it myself. Perhaps if I had, things would have been… different."

Perhaps not.

"And Abaddon? What of his gift?" War inquired. Yay slightly big words!

"That was not for me to know. Each who comes before the tree receives a different gift. Some receive nothing. Others are driven mad by visions, or simply destroyed. No, I cannot say for certain. Come." He said as we walked - actually Azzy flew - to the next area. "Whenever you are ready." He added, flying ahead.

"Azrael had better have a damn good reason for bringing us here." The Watcher said also flying off to join the angel.

"Soooo… this is Eden?" I asked Big Red.

He just nodded and that was answer enough. For that question anyway.

I pointed to the giant tree looming over us, "And that's the Tree of Knowledge?"

He nodded again.

We didn't say anything for a little bit nor did we move on to where Azrael and the Watcher was waiting. I was waiting for him to go first. Don't know what he was waiting on. Unless…

"You've been here before, haven't ya?"

"I have." Was his answer.

With a sigh, I sat down on a rock at the edge of the path, "Alleft, Dr. Hope's in da house. Tell me what happened."

He looked down at me like I was crazy. Actually, his face looked the same but that's the impression I got.

"What? Even I can tell that somethin bout this place is botherin ya. Seein as how we're travelin together - and have been fer a while now - I think I have a right ta know." I just bullshitted all of that. "Don't make me beat it out o' ya." I finished with a smile to let him know that I was joking. We both knew I'd get my ass handed to me if I was being serious.

"I was here when the Nephilim tried to take Eden." He finally said.

"Nephilim?"

"It is what the Horseman are."

"Why were ya tryin ta take Eden?"

"It was the other Nephilim who were trying to take it."

"So there's more than the four o' ya."

"There was."

"Spill."

He was stayed silent for a moment, as if trying to find the words, "The Nephilim raged across the worlds, destroying everything that crossed our path."

So ya were a part o' that rampage.

"They wanted a world of their own and decided to take Eden from the humans. We four left to join the Charred Council. With the power they gave us - and the angels' help - we stopped them and preserved the Balance."

They? Ya didn't want your own world too? But that means ya killed 'em all, didn't ya?

I stood and brushed the dirt off my shorts, "I see… Well, ya did what ya had ta do, yeah?"

He didn't answer, just stared off in the distance.

"Must've been hard." I went on. "They were your friends, right?"

"Brothers and sisters."

Family, that's even worse. "If ya hadn't stopped 'em, there's no tellin what they would've done after they got Eden. So as horrible and painful as it must've been, thanks."

War looked at me then, surprise written on his face.

"What? If ya hadn't had stopped the Nephilim and they had taken Eden then humanity might've been wiped out then and there. So, ya know, thanks. That sounds kinda bad though. Like my race meant more than yours did. Not that it did but… Ah Hells, I ain't no good at this sympathy thing. Let's just go see Azzy already and get all this shit over with."

I walked on ahead of Big Red to go join the angel and the sprite and it wasn't long before I heard his heavy footsteps behind me.

We made it to the edge of the next platform where a gap blocked our path to the main part of Eden and the Tree. Dark outlines that vaguely made out the shape of a bridge could be seen hanging in the air. Since it hurt my eyes to try and focus on them for too long, I stopped.

"There's no way across." War said, I guess not noticing the bridge outline.

Just his luck.

"There is, for those who are worthy." Azzy said, coming up behind us.

Hopefully not Thor's hammer worthy. Ya know, I bet Big Red could pick it up though.

"Or those who can fly." The Horseman retorted.

"Horseman, you have fought against the darkness so long that it has marked you. Creatures of the light will sense it, as I have. In this place you are worse than a demon."

Worse than a demon? That's harsh man. But what's worse than a demon? A mega demon? …Is Sammy a mega demon?

"Conquer the shadow! Then, you may pass."

Er we could go find another Griff somewhere.

"Are you ready to face yourself in the light? Not all are prepared for what they see." Azrael asked, pulling out a mask surrounded by orange mist from somewhere.

…Does he have pockets?

"The Mask of Shadows." Big Red said, taking the mask from him.

O' course he knows what it is.

It was square-ish and silver with intricate designs carved into the front. Frankly, it was ugly. The eyeholes were seemed too small and white little horns poked up everywhere. It looked as if it was trying to grow a beard and hair with them but failed miserably.

"Yes." The angel confirmed. "You will see into the Shadow Realm for as long as you wear the Mask. Fight well."

I thought we could also see inta the Shadow Realm if a Rock Man breathed on us. Though that was just temporary. And what does he mean by "fight well"?

The Horseman walked to the middle of the platform and we went to the other side before Azzy threw up an orange barrier thingy, trapping us outside and War in with whatever he was about to fight.

"Hey Azzy, why do I got a bad feelin bout this?"

"It is not easy to defeat the darkness."

Why try ta beat it if ya can join it? As long as ya don't let it rule over ya. I kept this part to myself though.

"Are you deaf, Horseman? Use the mask!" the Watcher shouted.

"Would ya please shut up fer once? This is one o' the reasons nobody likes ya. Annoyin little bastard."

Big Red put on the Mask and stumbled back. He reached back to Chaoseater real slow like before finally drawing it and starting to attack something I couldn't see.

"What is he doin?" I asked the angel.

"He is fighting his shadow." Was his answer.

"Well why come I cain't see it?"

"You need the Mask of Shadows to be able to see into the Shadow Realm."

"Geez, well at least tell me what the thing he's fightin looks like, wouldja?"

He paused for a minute as if contemplating how to put it, "It is himself made out of darkness."

"Well otay then. Thank ya."

We watched as the Horseman slashed at, dodged, blocked, and got hit by an invisible - to me at least - enemy. Honestly, it was kind of boring. Or it was boring until the whole platform suddenly shook. War rose in the air and turned into that fiery demon thing, making it shake again. He continued to slash at the Copycat with his also changed sword until he turned back and instantly blocked a hit. I guess he blocked it since he looked like he was struggling a bit to hold something off.

Something shattered, followed by a roar, and he actually punched the Copycat. As calmly as you please, we walked across the platform before spinning and I guess delivering the finishing blow.

"Yeah! He did it! I guess! Now he can go on ta the Tree!"

"Are you not going with him?" Azrael asked me.

I looked up at him, still marveling at his wings, "Um, no? Humans were kinda kicked outta Eden fer a reason right? Feels kinda wrong."

"But as a human, Eden is your birthright. And the Tree may give you answers about how you returned to Earth."

"Hm, ya may have a point. Bout the answers part. Couldn't care less bout the birthright crap. But say, do I have ta fight a shadow me ta go?"

He stared at me while considering this, "No, I suppose not."

"What if I wanna?"

"What?"

"What if I wanna fight a shadow me?"

"Then… I suppose you can."

"Sweet. I'll just borrow the Mask from Big Red then. Hope he don't mind. Unless ya got another one my size hidden up your sleeve?"

He shook his head and I shrugged and gestured to the barrier still up. He got the hint and opened up a hole big enough for me to pass through.

I jogged over to War, "My turn! Can I borrow the Mask real quick, pretty please?"

He took the Mask off but didn't hand it over, "Why?"

"I told ya, it's my turn."

He held out the Mask without any more questions and I took it from him, practically bouncing from excitement. I waited and held the Mask until Azzy let him out of the barrier.

This thing was way too big for me but I put it up to my face anyway, just testing it out. Surprisingly, the Mask changed its shape and size so it would fit better then stuck itself to my face.

"What the…?"

My voice was muffled and it was a bit hard to breath but at least I could see out of it. And the world I saw was orange. Great. My favorite color. There really needs to be a sarcasm font.

My whole body started to ache as black goop dripped off me and onto the ground.

Gross. What is this stuff?

The goop slid across the ground and began to bubble. From it rose an exact replica of myself, except she was completely black and purple. Aside from that, she was exactly the same. Same messy hair, same different colored eyes, same outfit, same knife and machete on her belt and ax on her back, even the same grappling hook on her belt loop.

A thought occurred to me then, "Hey Azzy, if I kill her is it considered suicide?"

"Uh… no."

"Whoo! In that case, bring it on ya bitch! Ya better be ready fer this!"

In answer, she pulled the ax from her back and twirled it a bit before lighting it on fire. Even the flames were black and purple.

I drew Severance, coating it in fire, "Yeah, I can do that too. Okay, maybe not the twirling cause I'm not that dexterous but whatever."

"Just kill her already!" I heard the Watcher shout.

"Are ya talkin ta me er her?"

"Her!"

"Gee, thanks. And I thought we were friends."

We didn't have any time to continue our conversation since the Copycat ran at me, ax dragging on the ground behind her.

"Hey! This ax was a gift from Hammer! Treat it better than that!" I yelled at her, blocking the attack.

She hacked at me again and again and I somehow managed to block her every time. Nothing short of a miracle. With each hit I felt my grin grow wider until I was straight laughing.

The Copycat attacked again and I blocked again but now we were stuck in a deadlock. "You're nothin." I heard her say, her voice sort of echoey. "I'm goin ta kill ya here and now and no one will care. Not the Horseman, not Aeneas, not even Mayhem."

I ignored er and hollered back at my spectators, "Hey guys? Is she supposed ta be able ta talk?"

"No…" was Azrael's simple reply.

I laughed in the Copycat's face, "I see. A defected product."

"Er an upgraded version."

"Nah, I prefer defect. Defected er not, anythin ta win, right? By sayin all that you're tryin ta make me sad and distracted, right? Won't work. Now it's my turn bitch." I kicked her in the stomach, breaking the deadlock and knocking her back. "You're the one who's nothin. A knockoff o' the original. Broken, worthless, and replaceable. And I refuse ta die here."

I charged at her, laughing and slashing until we were back in a deadlock, "Hey Copycat, I learned something being the only human in a world filled with demons and the like. When fightin, use every available advantage."

I made the flames on Severance grow bigger and hotter until she screamed and stumbled back. I took the chance to snatch my grappling hook of my belt and drop it to the ground. It stayed there and the chain let out as I backed away, putting distance between me and the Copycat.

With a scream of rage, she came charging at me. I waited for just the right moment before grabbing the chain and yanking. The grappling hook started to retract, hooking around the Copycat's ankle and tripping her.

I swung down, aiming for her neck but she managed to block it with a grunt, "You bitch!"

"Excuse me? That's my line." I kicked her side, sending her rolling.

I walked over as she tried to push herself off the ground. "I'm you. As such, I ain't gonna die that easily." She spat.

My grin faded, "Ya ain't me. Nobody can be me but me. And as such, I ain't gonna roll over fer the likes o' you. Er anyone else fer that matter."

She didn't answer. I raised Severance for the execution but as soon as I brought it down she rolled out of the way.

"I'm bored o' this. Stop movin and die already." I snapped my fingers and she burst into flames, her screams filling the air. Wasn't sure if that would actually work but glad it did. While she was writhing in pain, I drew my hunting knife, stepped on her arm, and drove the blade straight through her hand and into the ground, pinning her there. I raised my ax again and managed to cut off her head this time.

Her head rolled off a bit before disappearing along with the rest of her. Pulling my blade from the ground, I put it and everything else back in its proper place.

The barrier went down and all three of my audience came over to join me. I took off the mask - which returned to its original shape - and handed it back to War with a smile.

"That wasn't so hard."

"Heaven's first gift awaits you." Azrael told us, "I will remain here, with the Watcher."

The sprite didn't seem to like this and got in the angel's face, "I'm not letting the Horseman out of my sight! Where he goes, I go!"

Aw, is someone jealous?

"Indeed? Go then Darkling - make for the Tree. You will never reach the other side."

In that case, please do tag along.

We started on our way but then the Horseman grunted in pain and fell to his knees.

"Hurry up!" the Watcher growled, "And don't forget who holds the leash."

Why you little shit…

I was about to punch the snot out of his nose-less, mouthless face but Big Red stopped me as he got to his feet.

"I don't like this one bit. Hurry up with this tree business, and don't forget what I said. I'll be watching…" he went on.

"You mean don't forget that ya said ya cry alone every night cause ya realize that no one will ever love ya?" I asked, all innocent like. "Also, that's creepy. We should start callin ya the Stalker instead."

"Cross me, and I'll end you." The Stalker warned.

"But I've crossed ya plenty o' times and I have yet ta see ya 'end' me." This was too fun.

"Quit wasting time! Remember who's in charge."

"But time ya enjoy wastin is not wasted time. And I thought the Council bastards were the ones in charge."

I was tempted to keep it going but Azzy butted in, "Cross over, go before the Tree. We await your return."

"Fiiiine." I went over to join War at the bridge, looking over the edge and the drop. "So uh, how we gonna do this?"

He crouched down, allowing me to climb onto his back before putting the Mask on and crossing over empty air. Well, besides the black outline it looked empty to me.

Once we were on the other side, I jumped down and he took off the Mask. We made our way up the stairs, ignoring the path to our right which led to a drowned area. Up more stairs then even more stairs until we finally came to a big open area that was pretty much a roofless building. Effigies of kneeling and standing angels sat on pedestals on either side and fog rolled out of a large doorway directly in front of us.

"Guess we should go there." I whispered. It seemed wrong to speak too loudly here.

The Horseman just nodded and we walked ahead and I followed.

Once we got close enough, a yellow light started to surround us and we were momentarily blinded by a bright white light.

I blinked and found myself back in my room.

"What the blood-soaked Hells...?"

Blue walls, clothes and shoes in the floor, bookshelves filled to the brim, stuffed animals everywhere, and my iguana sitting lazily in his tank. This was my room alright, in all of its messy glory. And there I stood in the doorway, a glass of - what smelled like - root beer in one hand and a plate with a sandwich on it in the other and back in jeans and that sleeveless hoodie.

I remember I had the day off from work. What I don't remember was coming back from picking blackberries. And yet I could recall my time with Big Red as clear as day. I repeat, what the blood-soaked Hells?

I sat on my bed, setting my glass and plate on the nightstand, "Don't tell me all that was just a day dream… No frikkin way. It seemed so real. It has ta be real."

Dropping my head into my hands, I couldn't help but sigh. I had to accept the reality. "So all o' that was just my imagination goin wild while I came home and made a sammich… Wait, how long was I makin that sammich?!" Yes, I say sammich instead of sandwich, just like I pronounce the "p" in pterodactyls. No, I don't care what you think.

I was almost convinced that my whole adventure was in my head. Almost. Two things denied me that complete conviction. My arms and my TV. My arms still had the markings Shadow Man had put on there when he gave me my powers and the TV - which I don't remember turning on - was playing the season premiere of my life. Or, my life since I came back to it.

I watched myself as I was chased by demons, climb a building, fall off the building - with "help" from the Watcher - and so on. My only thought was: Whoever brought me back couldn't let me clean up first? I look like a frikkin mess!

I snapped my attention back to the television in time to see the Watcher grab my hair, "You're coming with us if I have to drag you by the hair myself!"

Again, I watched myself as I roundhouse kicked the Sprite before sitting on his back, pinning his arm to the ground with my old weapon, and wrapping my chain around his throat. I could see the blank look on my face as he struggled to get the chain off.

"Hm, don't recall that."

My phone started ringing, blaring the Final Fantasy victory theme as TV me came back to her senses and looked around in confusion. Real me finally managed to dig my phone out of my pants pocket and answer it.

Thought I threw this thing in lava…

"Yellow?" The greeting, not the color.

"You don't recall it happening because you blacked out." Said a vaguely familiar voice.

Taking the phone from my ear, I looked at the caller ID which said Creator. "Alright, who is this, what do ya mean, how'd ya get this number, and why're you already in my phone as 'Creator'."

Whoever it was laughed, "Always so paranoid. Your last question answered the first, you don't remember kicking the Watcher because you black out as soon as he grabbed your hair, I have this number because I know everything, and I'm already in your phone because I made it so."

That's when I remembered where I'd heard this voice from before, "You're the one that brought me back…"

"Yes, I am."

"Why the fuck didja do that?!"

"What?" He sounded pretty surprised.

"Why in the nine bloodied rings o' Hell did ya bring me back ta life?! I was perfectly content bein dead!"

"Before I answer that, Hope, I'm going to give you a choice."

"Paper er plastic?"

"No, choose between two gifts from the Tree."

"Much less excitin."

He ignored me this time, "If you choose the first gift, I will answer any questions you have. But… you will have to continue the life you have now and the knowledge my drive you mad."

"Well I'm already half-way there so that don't sound too bad. Behind door number two is…?"

"You can continue your life as it would have gone had the apocalypse never happened."

I was shocked speechless so he continued, "Think carefully Hope. Call me back when you have decided." My phone beeped. The Creator had hung up on me.

My hands started shaking so bad that my cell slipped out of my grasp and hit the carpet with a muffled thump. I paid no attention to it. My mind was on my possible gift.

I could stay here, like this. Keep livin like normal. Like nothin had ever happened. Like I had never died.

My TV seemed to try and convince me to stay as it started showing pictures of my possible life. It showed me shopping with friends, laughing at something probably stupid. Then it switched to me lazing around with my mom and brother and all three of us sitting in the floor instead of on one of the couches. Playing with little cousins, going to the beach, watching movies and eating pizza, curled up with a book, even on a date with some guy. He was really cute too.

I felt a tear roll down my face and quickly wiped it away. My hands still shaking, I picked up my phone and called the Creator back. It wasn't even much of a choice.

There was a click, signaling that he had picked up, "Have you made your choice?"

I had to clear my throat before responding, "O' course. Don't even see why ya hung up, wasn't that hard o' a decision."

"Your answer?"

I almost faltered here but went on, "The first one. I choose the first gift."

He took a minute before answering, as if surprised by my choice but sounded relieved, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Do you not miss everyone?"

"That's harsh man, o' course I miss 'em. But even if I stayed here they'd still be dead and I'd be stuck in a dream. A good one, but still a dream. That would drive me insane."

"If that is your decision…"

"If is, now can you please change the channel? My TV's makin me depressed."

The screen changed to show some action movie.

"I thought you would choose to stay."

"Sorry ta disappoint."

He laughed again, "No, your decision was good. Now ask your questions and I will answer."

"Let me get this outta the way first: do I get a set number o' questions?"

"No, ask as many as you would like."

"Cool, then can I eat this sammich? Cause it's just sittin there lookin all temptin and I haven't eaten anythin in like forever."

"Uh, yes you can eat it."

"Neat." Putting my phone on speaker, I set it on the nightstand in favor of the sandwich. Which was delicious.

"Okay, why offer me the second gift?" I asked around a mouthful of bread, meat, and cheese. Was that a pickle? Yeah. Glob I've missed pickles.

"You did not get a say so about being brought back in the first place. I had hoped you'd choose the first gift."

"But you expected me ta pick the second one. Is this one o' those 'hope fer the best but expect the worst' scenarios?

"Yes, you could say that."

"Next question, what is the secret o' the universe?"

"There is none."

"Hm, disappointin. I suppose there's no meanin ta life either?"

"Actually, the meaning to life is-"

"Nah, don't tell me. It'll take the magic out o' livin." Once the sandwich was gone, I laid back on my bed, thoroughly enjoying the feel of the soft mattress, "Why is a raven like a writin desk?"

"'Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front!'"

"What?"

"That is the answer the author gave."

"Oh, well one o' life's greatest mysteries solved now. But movin on, I wanna know what love is."

"You'll learn that soon enough."

"Seriously?!"

"Yes, but you're stalling. Ask your real questions Hope."

"Fiiiine, just suck the fun out o' everythin. First real question then, why did ya bring me back?"

He didn't even hesitate, "You are to be the second Eve."

I bolted upright, "…Ah… Um… What the fuck are ya talkin bout?!"

"You will become the second Eve and give birth to humanity."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. No."

"What?"

Unable to sit there any longer, I got up and started to pace, "Do ya honestly think that I could be a mother?! Let me answer that fer ya, fuck the Hell fuckin no! I ain't got a maternal bone in my body! I mean… shit dude!" Wow, I think I was actually having a panic attack.

"That will change with time." The Creator said, apparently unaware of my emotional state. Then again, he did say that the knowledge may drive me mad so maybe he just expected it.

"Maybe but… I cain't be a mother. Ain't there an easier way ta bring humanity back?"

"There is no other way."

"Shit. I was afraid you'd say that." I fell back onto my bed, "Jeebus, why couldn't ya have chosen someone else?"

"I did not choose."

"So what, it was just random? I finally win the lottery and this is my prize."

"No."

"Then stop beatin 'round the damn bush and tell me who the fuck chose!" And I'd just managed to calm down a bit.

He couldn't have liked being yelled at but he stayed calm, "Death did."

I laughed and considered finding a brick wall to bang my head against, "Death chose ta bring me back ta life… I though he picked people ta kill, not revive. But why me?"

"There must have been something about you that he liked."

"That don't help. But how can I recreate humanity when I'm the only human left? It takes two ta tango er whatever."

"The new humans will not be fully human."

"Then why are we still callin 'em humans? What else will they be?"

"That is for you to decide."

"Well, at least ya ain't forcin me on a specific person I reckon."

"Any more questions?"

"Hmm, let's seeee… oh, who is Shadow Man really?"

"Lucifer."

"…Well shit… That's one way ta drop a bomb."

"You yelled earlier that I was beating around the bush."

"Fair point and I'm sorry bout that. So anyway, so he's Luci as in the devil? Satan? The angel that was kicked out o' Heaven? The ultimate evil?"

"All correct."

"Well… fuck. So you're tellin me I accidently made a deal with the devil? That's sounds like some kind o' horrible sitcom."

"It was no accident."

"Hey I didn't know he was the devil so I consider it an accident. So what does he want with me anyway? Why'd he give me power and all that?"

"He's using you to follow the Horseman."

"Okay? But it's gotta be easier ta track an eight-foot Nephilim whatever than a five-foot five human."

"He is not tracking you, he is bound to you."

"Uh, clarification please."

"War already has the Watcher bound to him so instead he attached himself to your shadow and has been following you since your deal."

"My shadow?" I jumped to my feet, looking for my shadow and dropping my voice to a whisper. Don't ask why, just one of those human things I guess. "Ya mean right now he's-"

"No. Like the Watcher, he could not cross over into Eden."

"Well that's a relief. I'll have ta start watchin what I say and do now though."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, now we get down ta the real real questions… Who really let the dogs out?"

"What?"

"The song 'Who Let The Dogs Out', who really let the dogs out?"

"It was a metaphor. The dogs represented men."

"Oh, that makes sense. So how many licks does it take ta get ta the tootsie roll center o' a tootsie pop?"

"Roughly 450."

"And just like that, life's other greatest mystery has been solved. One more thing…"

"Yes?"

"Before ya send me back, can I go take a shower and brush my teeth and all that? Maybe change my clothes? I'm pretty dirty out there." Shower was actually pronounced shah-er. Welcome to the world of southern pronunciation.

The Creator laughed and I was instantly changed back into the outfit I was wearing outside the Tree, weapons and all, "Yes, you may. When you are ready to return just walk outside." With that, he hung up and I was left to my own devices.

Putting all of my equipment and whatnot on the bed, I threw my filthy clothes on the floor with the rest and almost literally jumped in the shower. In one word, it was heavenly. I didn't know I could miss the smell of my shampoo so much. I even got to brush my teeth and my hair. After that, I found another set of unmentionables, a pair of shorts, and a black biker-looking vest that I liked to wear as a shirt and returned all of my gear to its proper place. I even attached a clip to the end of my grappling hook chain so it wouldn't be forever attached to my shorts. And I was ready! Or almost.

"Ya know, I'm not even sure if I'll even be able ta wear this outside the Tree. Ah well, makes me feel better." I grabbed a tiny brush off my dresser and a couple of ponytail holders and tucked them in the empty pocket in my belt pouch, "Might as well." I'd take a toothbrush and all that too except I didn't know when I'd get the chance to actually brush.

I walked through my house quickly. I made my choice. I was going to put this place and everything else behind me. Throwing open the door, I was instantly blinded by a bright light.

I walked into the light and…

Maybe I should have stayed…

Having my usual doubts,

Hope

Real quick, the answers to Hope's questions are all correct. I looked them up. Or in the case of the tootsie pop, I counted. Just wanted to let y'all know.