Chapter 8: Unless You're Too Chicken:

Gongji's POV:

The race was still going on, but then it occurred to me... I'm racing against an ox, a tiger, and a dragon, in a very dangerous race! What was I thinking? I then stopped. "This was a terrible idea," I said. The only reason I'm doing this is because I thought this would get me some respect! Everyone makes fun of me because I'm always afraid, but if I get in that zodiac, they could see I'm not just a coward... but now I'm too afraid! "I should turn back." I then turned around and saw the others coming. "Oh right, I'm in front." I then ran.

. . .

I managed to get out of the way, but now I'm lost. "Great, now what do I do," I asked.

"Excuse me," says this squirrel, "you mind getting me out of these vines?"

"Oh sure," I said. I then started removing the vines. "Hey, how'd you end up in this mess?"

"Oh, it's a trap," says the squirrel.

"Was it some vicious predator," I asked.

"Not exactly," says the squirrel.

Something then knocks me out.

. . .

I woke up and saw that the squirrel and I were in a cage. I looked and saw it was a bat. "Did she do this," I asked.

"Yep, that bat's been trying to take me for a long time," says the squirrel, "she thinks we belong together."

"Why," I asked.

"She just does," says the squirrel.

The Bat: It's more than just a dream
It's something real nice
You've escaped from my traps
But time for the spice

I can now accomplish my goal
And I want you to know
That I can't let you go
'Cause I need you so

And so, I'm gonna kill you and me
So that we can be happy
And together forever we will always be
Killed by love

The Bat/Chorus: Killed by love

The Bat: Like the cold and the warm
When they join, makes a storm

Chorus: Killed by love

The Bat: I don't know where I got these guys
But if you look in my eyes
You'll see it is all true
I am going to kill you!

"That's a nice metaphor," I said.

"It's not a metaphor," says the bat, "we are both going to die so we may be together forever, and you'll probably die too, but oh well."

She gets out her claws. The squirrel was scared. I had to save him. "Wait! You won't be together!"

"What do you mean," asks the bat.

"Where do murderers usually go," I asked.

The bat thinks about it. "I'd... be down there and he might be... what was I thinking? I was going to commit murder and suicide just for a guy who's not even into me! I am such an idiot!"

"Hey, maybe we can stop all the stalking and just be friends," says the squirrel.

"Sure," says the bat, "and I am really sorry."

"Now that that's settled, can you let me go so I can get back in the race," I asked, "I'm trying to get in the Zodiac."

"Sure," says the bat, "and good luck."

. . .

That might have been too easy, but who cares? I stood up against a crazy girl who tried to kill a guy! Now I'm feeling brave! I saw the others running past me. "Hey, wait for me," I said. I then got back to the race.

To Be Continued

In the next chapter, Hou keeps fooling around.