"Even if it hurts
Even if it's razor deep
I'm not giving up
Not gonna run
I'll be there when you need me."

-Sam Tinnesz

My little side lamp was on, the familiar rain pelleting the roof as I read. By the dim glow that only illuminated the pages just enough so that my eyes didn't hurt from the effort, I was already captivated by the scene I envisioned. The words held me in a trance, the suspense sending shivers through my body. Something about Stephen's element of mystery had tempted my reader's appetite. I wish I could write like this, to have the readers hanging on the edge of their seats to find out what would happen next.

I felt a vibration on my side table. My blissful quiet was shattered as my phone flashed and buzzed to life. A text popped up on my screen. And just like the spell is broken. How annoying.

What, Mom?

Hey Chickadee, I hope you had a great day at school today and that those girls are not still bothering you. Your dad and I will be home late tonight, but we'll see you in the morning. Love you, Kida!

Love you too, mom.

My head slumped against my headboard and my phone turned off. Just as I thought. I shouldn't be mad. They need to work and it's not their fault that it keeps them at such late hours. But can they not make time at least one night to come home? Just one?

Food seemed like the best distraction, my stomach hoping my parents had remembered to get groceries today. Stacks of my favorite pudding seemed like a dream and smiled at the thought.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as my phone buzzed again.

I quickly glanced up at the window, the sky already pitch-black. Nobody except my parents would be texting me now since I never gave my number out to anyone, and those I did never contacted me again.

An unknown number popped up onto the home screen that reads:

E: Hey Kida, what's up?

What the heck?

K: Who is this?

Immediately, another text slid onto the bright screen.

E: Hey Kida, it's Eli. This is your number, right?

What?

K: Eli?

E: Yeah hey, Spitfire! What's up?

K: Nothing much. What are you up to?

E: Homework, and lots of it. I hope you're staying out of trouble.

K: What kind of trouble could I possibly get into? You know it is past dark out, right?

E: Don't you go out and do anything fun at night?

K: No, not really. I don't go out much. I mostly read.

E: Man, you're a real bookworm, huh Kirkwood? You doing anything fun this weekend?

K: No. Not really.

This is weird. I don't remember giving my number to Eli. Unless someone else saw it and he got it from them, there was no reason why he should even have my number.

E: Hey, Kida? Are you still there?

My fingers slammed the buttons.

K: Yeah, sorry. I was just making myself some dinner.

E: Oh cool, what're you having?

K: Uh, why do you want to know?

E: Just curious lol

This is weird.

K: A tomato sandwich.

E: Cool, I'm having pizza.

Knew it.

Who is this? And how did you get my number?

It's me, Eli.

There really are some dumb people in this world. Thanks for helping me understand that...Lindsey. Eli calls me Kida BTW.

Several moments passed without an answer. Really? Nothing to say, jerk?

You're such a gullible loser. Get your mind out of the gutter. He couldn't spare a thought for white trash like you. You text him again, I'll make your life a living hell. I'll make sure you never EVER walk through those doors without enemies around every corner. Heck, I'd be surprised if you came to school ever because everyone, even Eli, will be disgusted to see your grimy face. You might think about taking a sick day tomorrow, sound good? My only charitable act for you, Kirkwood. Doesn't that sound nice?

Petty wench!

Suddenly, the phone started ringing. I answered immediately.

Really funny joke! About as funny as a big purple bruise will look on your plastic face tomorrow! You'd better hope that I don't see you, or you can bet I will add some color to your white Armani blouse! You may be able to intimidate and manipulate other people into following you, but it won't work on me. When is that middle-school brain of yours going to learn that I am not scared of you!? So screw you, you psychopath!

My finger slammed the end call before I could say anything else, feeling like I just ran a marathon. I can't believe what I just said. Where in the world did that confidence come from? I am such an idiot.

My phone began vibrating again, a number popping onto the screen. I didn't want to answer, the wicked little voice in my mind saying it would be fun to see what her reaction would be.

Only silence on the other end, until I heard a small chuckle.

There's...really no need for that Kida. Promise. I rather like my face the way it is, thanks.

I felt my eyes go wide and my fingers slack, my phone clattering to the floor and startling me back to reality. Eli's voice blared loudly from the speaker, calling my name.

Here...I-I'm here.

Oh good, I almost thought you fainted or something. Did I surprise you?

Uhhh...Um...you're not Lindsey, Thank Goodness he can't see me!

Um, no, fortunately, he laughed, Why?

So it wasn't you?

Did you receive some weird messages? Supposedly from me? I figured that might happen.

It sounded like him, but it could have been a recording or someone else pretending to be him. So it really wasn't you texting me. You are Eli, right? You're not someone pretending to be Eli, are you?

No, it's really me, Kida. What's happened? Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Are you sure? You sure went "rapid beast mode" on whoever was on the line with you before. You sounded really angry.

No, I'm sure. I was just fixing myself a tomato sandwich for dinner.

Really? I thought you hated tomatoes. Didn't you say you're allergic to them?

Okay, let me try this again. Ahem. Hey...Eli.

Hey. So, do I pass the Kida authentication test?

You can never be too careful when you're the school's punching bag.

It took that tiny little fact to realize it was really me?

For obvious reasons, no one else knows that. So that's why you've been entrusted with the secret of my kryptonite. Also, you would never call me 'Kirkwood.'

Rookie mistake on Lindsey's part, or whoever was prank texting you. Man, do I have great timing or what?

Yeah, quite the coincidence, I said, not hiding the unconvinced tone in my voice.

He sounded nervous. Uh...What?

Oh, please, Eli. We both know that's a lie.

What?

It's not hard, Eli. You call me seconds after Lindsey was dishing out her daily dose of verbal abuse.

Not very smooth huh? he laughed again.

A for effort, but no, not really, I laughed.

Well, I didn't really know who it was. I just overheard Lindsey talking about putting someone in their place and I knew I was right to assume it was you. Thankfully, I was able to snag her phone long enough to get your number. She didn't suspect a thing.

Like the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Darn right.

I wasn't sure what else to say, the words wouldn't come out.

So, no snarky remarks? No sarcasm? No 'screw you?' That's it, huh?

Nah, not tonight. Just...thanks.

No problem, Kida.

My heart suddenly began pounding really fast and I felt my stomach fluttering.

Actually...there is something else.

I am listening.

Please! Promise you won't tell anyone else this, please? I'll never live it down.

Of course Kida, I wasn't going to. I won't tell anyone, I promise.

Okay, um...can I be real...for a moment?

Shoot.

I signed heavily. I...I feel like you're the only person I can really depend on, Eli. I mean, you're the only person who has ever been anything close to a friend to me at this school. I love my parents, but they're almost never around. It's hard to depend on people who rarely come home and I barely ever see, even if they are family. It's...nice. So, yeah. Thank you for being...my friend. And thank you for putting up with my problems and

Wow, Kida Kirkwood is actually a soft marshmallow inside.

Shut up, Eli! Why do I bother? Come on! I said I'm being real. I really mean this!

I understand, Kida. Sure, I am happy I can be there for you. If you ever need help with anything, I want you to know that I'll always be glad to help you.

Do you promise? You're not lying to me, are you?

No Kida, unless I was just joking, I would never lie to you.

I was speechless, I barely whispered into the speaker.

You're...not joking now, right?

Of course, Kida. Even if the whole world turned on you, I would believe you. Always.

Looking back, it was so cheesy. But I could've cried when I heard him say that.

You're such a cheesy dork Eli.

He didn't laugh. I'm serious Kida. I am your friend, and I want to be honest with you as much as I can. As I have told you, of all people, you are the most genuine person I know. I want to be genuine to you too, so I would never purposefully betray your trust. Do you believe me?

Yes.

Good, sleep well Kida. I'll see you at school tomorrow, alright?

See you.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face. What was happening?

The breath was sucked from my lungs like a vacuum! The wind forced tears from my eyes as I fell and blurred my vision. I was free-falling again, but there was no net below to catch me. Widow sprung from my blaster, the ground becoming larger and larger very fast.

Get a grip! I yelled inside my head. I would have screamed out loud if I had any breath left!

Something thick and sticky wrapped tightly around my hand! Looking up I saw a white rope unraveling from the roof of the building. Was it adrenaline or fear? I don't know, but my eyes snapped open!

NO! No way! I did NOT come all this way just to die falling from some stupid building!

Tears leaked from my eyes, my teeth clenched. Gripping the rope with both hands and pulled with all my might, tucked my legs up to my chest! Please work, please work!

The string went taut as I swung towards the earth! My shoes scraped the ground as I felt myself roll forward. My world spun as sudden dizziness thumping in my head and I rolled onto solid ground.

I slowly rolled onto my back, looking up at where I had fallen, and focused on the little speck floating down grinning happily like this was all a game. Maybe it was just the adrenaline high or the fact that I almost died that laughter bubbled in my chest, "Haha, nice job, Widow!"

"I knew I could trust you, girl," she chuckled as she landed in my hand.

The door beside busting open snapped me out of the trance. "There she is! Grab her!"

"No way!" My nails grasped gravel as my fingers touched my blaster. "Sick 'em Shocker!" The large gun kicked back hard, almost hitting me in the face again. His tiny body morphed right before unleashing a flash of golden light. The ground rumbled with the sound of lightning striking the ground, the shock sending three of the suited men with their big guns flying back onto the ground, barely moving. What would I do without these little guys?

"Time to go!"

Picking up my friends, I clutched Banter and my blaster to my chest as I took off down the street. People were crowded around us, some of them seemingly running from the scuffle with the masked men. I quickly pushed past anyone in my path and kept mumbling absent apologies, weaving every which way without glancing behind me. Gripping my bag tightly and with my slugs huddled in my arms, the shouting was closing in on us but I couldn't tell what direction it was coming from. Searching up, I noticed several buildings like shops up ahead and I made a beeline for them through the crowd. I ignored the complaints from the people I pushed past and those mounted on metal creatures as they yelled for me to get out of their way.

Through the rows of people, I thrust open the first door I could grab. With the door's loud slam, I scurried into the corner of the shop. I didn't dare take my eyes off that door as I strained to hear those men searching for me. I could feel eyes on me and several murmurs of confusion about what was happening. Thank goodness the glass was tinted.

I suddenly winced, the pain starting to sink. My head was spinning as I grasped my elbow and my shoulder started to sting really badly. Can I go a day without getting scuffed up? I am so clumsy. Granted, I did blackout after getting hit in the head and then falling from a three-story building today. It wasn't like I just missed a stair step and rolled my ankle. Nothing is broken, so that's good.

For several moments I stared at the door, Banter finally squirming free of my clenched arms and trilling with a fury.

"Quit complaining and keep quiet," I warned, hissing quietly through my teeth, "I am sorry I squeezed you that tight, but we're still in trouble right now."

The other slugs began squealing along and were drawing more eyes, "Just be patient, guys. We'll go as soon as they leave."

"Hey girly!" a loud voice boomed from the other side of the room. A tall, built woman leaned across the counter with clenched fists and glaring fire right at me. Figures.

"If you ain't a customer, get out of here!"

My heart was racing and my eyes darted to the door. She could easily rat me out or one of those men might hear her. Think.

"Yeah, sorry for the noise. I was grounded and kinda snuck out just to-" but she cut in quickly.

"I don't care what you're doing, lady. If you ain't buying, you're out of here." Okay then. I simply nodded and walked briskly away from the firey-eyed woman, who most likely would have it in for me if I didn't buy something.

What am I supposed to buy?! I don't even know what kind of money they use. What now?

That's when I noticed the few other browsers, who were profusely trying to focus on their shopping. They wore tight-fitting shirts, wrapped with thick belts and even donned thick armoring. I stuck out like a sore thumb with my loose T-shirt and jeans.

"Hey," I awkwardly whispered to one of the browsers, who flashed me a really annoyed look before turning away. I shrank away into the clothing racks.

Geez, is everyone down here this hostile?

A large box in the far corner of the shop labeled "free." Bingo! Rummaging through the box, I grabbed a handful of items and pulled out a black hood to cover my head. As much as I hate skin-tight clothes, I'd rather not die. A pair of worn-out gloves, one way longer and completely covered my forearm.A piece of cloth? It would cover my face. No matching shoes though, but at least they would be less suspicious.

I look like a vagabond, but at least I should blend in better.

Just then Banter leaped into the bin, the items rubbing together and shaking around. In his teeth and still half-buried in the bin, was a belt. The other slugs happily joined in and grabbed it until it came loose in my hands. The belt was old, but not impractical. Still...

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

Aside from being worn out, the capsules on it were like the ones that I load into my blaster and were just big enough-wait! I secured it around my shoulder, each of my slugs excitedly finding their place in each one.

"I see, good thinking Banter! This will make things easier. Come on little friends, we need to get going before they come back," I whispered to them and calmly slipped through the back exit. In the box-ridden alley, the mayhem continued. The tall masked men in black and red uniforms ran in pairs, all of them carrying the same butt-ugly slugs. Looking at those creatures, they almost seemed nothing like the slugs at all. Just seeing them made my heart sink and the air itself felt cold.

I shook the thoughts from my mind. Great! Just great! I slid back behind the boxes and slowly backed towards the other end of the alley. What the heck am I supposed to do now? Where should I go? How can I get away from those guys? If I use Banter to fly out of here, they'll just shoot me down.

A hand covered my mouth and another laced tightly around my waist! Come on! I thrashed hard, my arms wouldn't move! My screams were muffled and nothing came out!

"Hey, hey listen to me right now!" A voice hissed low in my ear, "If you don't want to be Black's next test subject, walk backward slowly!"

I kept struggling, but his grip was so firm! "We don't have much time! If you're so eager to die, go ahead and bloody yell 'here we are'. If you want to live, then do what I say when I say." What do I do? I can't move, I can't run away, I can't yell for help, and who would possibly help me? I can't do anything! I have no choice.

I obeyed and we slowly edged away from the chaos that ensued in the streets just several feet before us. I tried to turn and look at him, but his face was concealed with a mask and hood like mine. My heart still in my throat, I did what he said.

His voice though...

The more we moved into the alley, his hand tightly around my waist and around my mouth, the darker it became. No no no no, this is not good at all. It's almost too dark to see, and here I was being coerced into obedience by a masked stranger who's not only stronger but most likely armed and I'm technically being to be kidnapped. On the other hand, I don't really have much of a choice, do I?

It was so dark now! It was so dark I could barely see anything around us except for the light of the alleyway opening in front of us.

"That's it, nice and easy. We're going to get the heck out of here and I need you to get on my mecha. If you promise you won't scream, or run away, we can get out of here and I won't slug you."

Wow. Great options, dude. Geez, please this one time, let me be wrong.

I slowly nodded my head to him, letting my body loosen slightly. His arm slipped away, as I felt cold metal press against my back. I turned and placed my hands on the back of the mecha.

"Raise your hands once you get on and stay quiet," he hissed, his blaster trained squarely at my head.

I must be imagining it, but his voice sounds slightly familiar.

"Get on, quickly, before they get here," he snapped, and I hoisted myself on the seat of the mecha, and raised my hands as he instructed. I dared not move or dart my eyes at the muzzle of the gun aimed for my head. He leaped into the seat behind me like he'd done it a thousand times. His chest pressed against my back as he grabbed the handlebars in front, the engine rumbling to life. The mecha whirred and huffed quietly, as it started to move forward and its dim blue lights made the shadows jump and dance on the walls. It rocked from side to side like riding the back of an animal as we moved further into the dark.

This is bad. I don't know what to do or where I am. Eli...what would he do?

The mecha started to pick up speed and I felt my seat lurch back and forth with the momentum of the vehicle. I stiffened as he wrapped an arm securely around my waist and I stopped jolting.

"What are you doing?"

"Hey," he said in a much gentler tone, "Calm down, you don't need to shake so much. I'm not going to hurt you. We need to get further away from the town."

What now?

Slouched under a large mushroom, Banter and the others scampered around the branches of the bushes. Most of the surrounding trees and fungi slightly glowing light blues and greens in the dark. Now that I wasn't on the back of a shaky vehicle, I could see slugs everywhere. Most roosted in the branches while others skittered around the bases of the trees. Some peered down at us curiously before moving on.

How in the world is "all of this" thousands of miles below the feet of all the people up there on the surface? I wonder how far it goes? All these caverns? There have to be hundreds of other people and even thousands of more slugs.

"First time out in the wilderness?" The man's eyes peeked out at me over the top of his mask.

"You could say that," I answered. Banter climbed into my lap with the happiest smile on his face. When he looked at my face, he perched on my shoulder again and nudged my neck with his little head. At least someone was being optimistic about this situation, and he's such good company.

"You can sit closer, you know? I don't bite, and it gets pretty cold at night," he sat clumsily by the fire, warming his hands. He was completely calm and relaxed like he wasn't even worried that I would pull a slug on him. He even looked amused as his slugs waddled and hopped around with Shocker and Widow me.

I scooted slightly towards the warm flames, my eyes trained on him. "Take it easy, girl. You can stop glaring at me like I'm going to kill you the moment you turn your back."

Is he kidding? "Says the guy that had the muzzle of their blaster at my back? Totally," I shot back.

He simply shrugged. "Way I see it, I saved you from Blakk's men. They would have dragged you off to some lab and your family never would have heard from you again. I haven't heard a 'thanks' yet either, and I don't do favors for just anyone."

"How do I know you're not one of them? Those men? A spy that's carrying normal slugs to hide your identity?"

I saw the wide grin through his mask. "Ah, I could be. But last I checked, there was a particular girl on the ground, bleeding out from her head and begging for help."

No way... My hand "How do you know about that?"

"So you did hit your head hard. Makes sense."

"That's not an answer," I snapped.

"Calm down," he whispered gently, "Take a deep breath and we can figure this out. But not unless you stop with the defensiveness. And while we're at it, here."

In his hand was a green slug that looked a lot like Banter. As he hopped over towards me, Banter greeted him with gritted teeth. The little green slug waved his little hands and shrank back, chirping pleadingly with him.

"It's alright, Banter. He can come closer, he's not gonna hurt me."

I held out my hand to him and he eagerly accepted, smiling at me ear to ear. I could only smile back at him as he bowed his head and closed his eyes.

"What do you do, little guy?

His body became enveloped in white light and forced my eyes shut. His skin, his "light," radiated a distinct warmth that wrapped around me like a blanket. My arm quickly stopped stinging so much and my head was no longer ringing. It felt like an embrace, like a sanctuary. My body relaxed and I heaved a heavy sigh of contentment.

"What the...?"

The warmth suddenly began to fade as quickly as it came. I wanted to grab at and cling to it as a child clings to their stuffed animal. This small fire couldn't hold a candle to the comfort I felt in those few seconds.

"What...what was that?" I asked him, "What did he just do?"

"He healed you. Ever seen a Boon Doc before? They are kind of rare."

"No. It was amazing though," I couldn't hide the amazement in my voice. The little slug nuzzled my thumb with his little head and I gently thanked him.

"How's your head now?"

"Better, and my scratches are gone. Thanks."

"Good. I guess you didn't hit it too hard. No wonder you were confused."

"So can you finally drop the mystery and tell me who you are?"

"Because others around here would know who I am and it's better that they don't," he snapped and I halted my questions.

His voice is so familiar. "I do know you, don't I?"

"Should, since I saved your life twice." He shuffled around the fire closer to me and I could see his face better by the firelight.

Blue eyes. Again? This makes no sense. The blonde-haired boy...he said he saved me. But his voice was different.

"Now, what do you remember before you lost consciousness?

"I was wandering around in the wild, and I was running away from some guys. They worked for the same people as those masks back in town. They chased me down, and I think...No, I am sure, I fell."

"You were banged up. You fell unconscious after I picked you up and we headed towards the town. I hid you with my mecha beast after we arrived in town. I had a feeling that I would need some help, with whatever trouble you were in. And I was right. As I came back, I found you gone. Spent the next couple of hours looking for you, and I thought maybe you ripped me off and ran. Where did you go?"

"I woke up in an old abandoned apartment with another boy. He had the same blue eyes as you. It wasn't him that saved me. It was you?"

"And you owe me big time for the collateral damage. But we'll worry about that after we both get some sleep," he muttered as he tossed me a bedroll. "We can sort things out after you sleep off that head rush."

"Is it safe for us to just sleep out here?"

"Give it a rest, girl. We're much safer out here than in town. We'll be fine."

"Kida," I rolled over onto my side with my back to him.

"What?"

"My name. It's Kida."

"Oh, alright. Well, goodnight Kida."

"What? You're not going to tell me your name?"

"Afraid not. Sorry, but I've got more reason to protect my privacy. Now go to sleep."

Thank you guys for all your patience and I apologize again for not being around. I hope to change that shortly. In the meantime, I'll keep writing! Thank you, everyone, for reading!

Special thanks to my readers…

GUIPA

Blacktiger93

SplashSJQ

LazyCloud01

And all of the guests who took the time to read my story! Thank you so much, you guys are awesome!