Shoutout to fans, go watch Sing 2. The budget is 85 million and so far, after over a month, they made only 268.8 million thus far. Way more than Matrix Resurrections and their budget was over a hundred million dollars.

I Knew You Were a Weirdo

00000

VIII - Promises

There was a ring at the front door of the penthouse. Buster stood on a stool and looked through the peephole.

Buster turned around with a wide smile. "Look who it is!"

Nana's butler opened the door.

And in came Marcus, who supported Johnny on his shoulder, who were both followed by an enthusiastic Jimmy.

They, but mostly Johnny, were greeted with pats on the back, loud praise, among other kind words akin to a hero's welcome, which it essentially was.

"Oh Johnny," Meena said, patting his shoulder. "We were so worried about you."

Porsha was next, and she practically wrapped her arms around Johnny's neck, startling him. He felt hot tears soaking the side of his head and neck.

"It's ok," Johnny said awkwardly. "I'm fine, just an errand that got a tad out of hand."

Clay Calloway gave Johnny a light slap on the back, which caused him to cry out in sharp discomfort. "You had us scared kid."

"Aunt Suzie?!" Jimmy cried as soon as he saw the nurse, preparing two large pails by the sofa.

"Jimmy!" Sue screamed as she rushed to her nephew. They embraced immediately and both fell to their knees and cried.

"Oh Auntie!" Jimmy cried, tears rolling down his face, mixing with the flecks of concrete that were still stuck to him. "I was so scared! I thought I was going to die!"

"Shh, Shh, it's ok Jim," Sue cooed, stroking her nephew's hair and ears. "It's going to be ok."

Sue looked up to see that Johnny was already set on the couch. His wet shoes and socks were removed as well as his jacket. Rosita gave Johnny a fresh towel before wrapping her arms around him and tearfully kissing him on the cheek. "Oh Johnny, I'm so glad you're alright."

Johnny chuckled sheepishly, not used to this kind of attention.

"Meena, get the kettle from the kitchen," Sue said as she lifted Jimmy to his feet. She set him on the couch and removed his footwear and outer clothes as well.

As Johnny shivered on the couch, he felt an impact in his side and looked down to see a familiar porcupine hugging him around his waist. "H-Hey Ash," Johnny said. "Sorry I made you worry."

"You will be," Ash said, her face buried in Johnny's chest.

"Hey Johnny," Buster said, smiling widely as he approached the young gorilla. "Are you ok?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just a little cold."

"How's your breathing?" Nurse Sue asked, checking Johnny's pulse.

"Well, it hurts when I breathe a bit, but not too badly. Less actually since we left the pier."

Nurse Sue nodded and then turned to Johnny's father. "Mr Egerton, could you lay out some dry clothes for him. His room is just down that hall, third door on the right."

"Of course, thank you miss." Marcus gave Johnny a loving pat on the shoulder before leaving.

Johnny looked to his friends. "Look you guys, I'm sorry I made you worry. But I didn't have-"

"Johnny, it's ok," Rosita said. "We know, we saw everything."

"Um...come again?"

"Dude!" Porsha said, jumping to her feet. "We saw you on tv!"

Johnny flinched. "You...you did? What did you see?"

Ash wiped her eyes. "We saw you save Jimmy, twice, and that family from drowning…"

Meena gasped, new tears forming. "And we saw you almost drown."

Johnny gaped. This was the last thing he wanted to put his friends through. And then his blood went cold as a terrible thought crossed his mind.

"Did...did Nooshy see it?"

Ash gave Johnny a look of pity, remembering Nooshy's words. "Yup."

Johnny gulped. "How much did she see?"

"All of it. From the car almost going off the pier to you being revived and then being put into your dad's truck. She saw all of it."

A look of utter panic was writ large on Johnny's face. "Is she ok?! Where is she?!"

"I'm right here."

Johnny jumped and turned to see the object of his fears standing just beyond the living room, at the open hall just to his left.

There was Nooshy, one hand on the wall to steady herself. Her fur was disheveled, as though she had just got out of bed. The fur around her eyes was matted and damp. She had been crying apparently. What startled Johnny most of all was the look of rage on her face. Her teeth were bared and she was glaring at Johnny as though she was trying to cut him in half by looking at him.

"N-Nooshy," Johnny stammered, quite scared.

Nooshy snarled furiously as she began to walk very slowly towards Johnny.

The Moon troupe did not dare stand in her way as she approached.

Not even Calloway made any attempt to obstruct her. Either he was intimidated or he knew that Nooshy would never hurt Johnny.

"Ok Nooshy, take it easy," Johnny said, holding his hands up placatingly.

Nooshy did not stop.

"I know you must be upset and you've every right to be but it couldn't be helped.

Jimmy scooched over to the far side of the sofa, far away from the lynx's target of her anger.

"Nooshy please, I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted was to scare ya. I'm sorry ok?"

Nooshy did not stop.

She was almost at the sofa.

Johnny clenched his eyes, preparing for whatever onslaught Nooshy had in mind for him.

He felt movement and motion on the sofa before he heard a soft gasping sob before two thin arms wrapped around his neck.

Shocked, Johnny opened his eyes and without turning his head, he averted his eyes to see that Nooshy had buried her face in his neck.

She still felt very warm. Her fever had not broken down completely yet.

"Idiot," she whispered shakily.

Johnny slowly but very carefully returned the embrace. He was alarmed when he felt a hot wetness in his neck.

And it was almost inaudible but he could hear very soft whimpers.

Johnny clenched his eyes. "I'm sorry I scared ya."

He felt Nooshy tense up.

She pulled back and Johnny could see that her eyes were bloodshot. She smiled, albeit it was a weak one.

"Do that again Johnny and I will murder you," Nooshy said, her voice breaking.

Johnny smiled nervously. "I'll...I'll hold you to it."

Nooshy laughed weakly, gave Johnny another squeeze around the neck before getting up from the sofa.

"I'm going to turn in now, I'm beat."

Johnny was a bit put off by how soon Nooshy was leaving, but nodded. "O-Ok, g'night."

Standing in the hallway,Nooshy turned to look at Johnny in a way that was odd to him. She was smiling at him, but it was not her usual, but rather a genuine, warm smile.

"Good job by the way," she said.

And her brown eyes shined with such a radiance he had never seen before.

It made him feel like he was floating.

Time seemed to have stopped.

"Um...Johnny?"

Johnny's attention returned to the present and he saw Nurse Sue and Meena, who was holding a kettle of hot water, both standing over him.

"Huh?" Johnny said. "What?"

"Sue just asked you if you're ready for the hot water," Meena said, slightly bewildered by Johnny's aloofness.

"Oh," Johnny said, frightfully embarrassed. "Yes, yes, please, that would be great."

Sue gave Johnny a lopsided grin.

"What?"

"Oh nothing," Sue said as she poured the kettle's hot contents into the wide bucket containing Johnny's cold wet feet.

"Hoooh!" Johnny said as he felt his lower extremities warm up, the steam rising and hitting his face. "That feels so nice."

"How was your trip?" Ash said from her position on the sofa.

"Huh?"

Ash gave Johnny a playful smirk. "You kinda went away for a second there."

"Und second?" Gunter said. "It vas more like a full minute."

Johnny looked confused. "I'm not sure I understand."

"Dude," Jimmy said from his side of the sofa. "You totally spaced out when you and that chick made eye contact."

Johnny felt his face heat up. "I did?"

Porsha choked with laughter. "You totally did."

"Now now you guys," Rosita said in a scolding tone. "Johnny had a big day. Don't tease him."

"Yeah," Ash said smugly. "Especially in front of Nooshy."

Johnny almost stood up in shock and alarm. "What?!" He looked and saw to his relief and annoyance that Nooshy was nowhere to be seen.

Ash choked on her laughter. "Relax big guy, she already turned in for the night."

Rosita frowned. "...Ash."

Ash stifled the last of her laughter. "Ok, I'll stop now."

Johnny settled down where he sat but it did nothing to quell his embarrassment.

"Johnny," Meena said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Red faced, Johnny turned his head away. "Where's Miss Crawley?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

"She went to bed," Rosita said. "She wouldn't sleep until she knew you were safe."

Hearing this, Johnny's guilt for making his friends worry became greater than his embarrassment and he bowed his head.

"You've nothing to be ashamed about Johnny," Nurse Sue said, smiling. "What happened tonight, no one could have predicted. But it can't be helped that those who love you will worry, especially in situations beyond their control." Her smile became tearful. "Besides, if you didn't listen to your heart, I would have never seen my nephew again." She very gently wrapped her arms around Johnny's neck. "So thank you Johnny, thank you so much."

This didn't help Johnny's embarrassment meter either. "Oh, it was...uh...it was nothing."

"Nothing?!" Jimmy exclaimed. "Dude, you saved my life, twice! I don't think I could ever repay you for that."

"You don't have to repay me Jimmy and to be fair, my dad and uncles helped with saving you a second time. I wouldn't have been much help to you or Mrs Myers if it wasn't for DiMarco."

All eyes were on Johnny at that.

"DiMarco?!" Ash cried in amazement. "As in Sean DiMarco, that was the one who kidnapped you and Jimmy?"

Johnny regretted being so transparent at that moment but saw no point in keeping it to himself since it would most likely make news by morning anyway.

"Yes," he replied wearily.

"How did he get you?" Meena asked.

"He snuck up on me right after I saved Jimmy from those three ruffians. Knocked me out. Then I woke up in this car with my hands tied behind my back."

Ash looked deeply troubled. "I didn't think anyone but Noosh could sneak up on you."

It was true. Because of Johnny's criminal upbringing, he had to learn how to mind his surroundings since he was often the one who had to keep lookout when his father and uncles pulled off a job. Not just anyone could get the drop on him without giving themselves away first.

Nooshy was the first to successfully do so, when she jumped on his shoulders, covered his eyes and wished him a Happy Birthday, an amusing and endearing memory that Johnny was very fond of.

She had done so without making a sound.

"Well...at least he's dead now...right?" Gunter said hopefully. "'Ve all saw the car go down into the 'vater."

Clay Calloway looked skeptical. "Wait until they drag the river and pull the car out." He looked at Johnny with a probing stare. "What was the man like?"

Johnny gulped. "Well...the guy's bloody mental, by every standard of the word. That look in his eyes, it's like he didn't have a soul."

Jimmy shook horribly. "It's true. I don't think I'll ever forget that look in his eyes."

Nurse Sue put a comforting arm around his shoulders and Jimmy leaned into her.

Clay grimaced. "I see."

"You don't think he survived do you?" Ash asked anxiously.

"Hard to say," Clay said. "But if, however unlikely, he did survive, he'll be as dangerous as ever."

"Clay please!" Sue exclaimed, unimpressed, as she tried to comfort her nephew, who now was even more upset than ever after hearing the possibility that the man who almost killed him tonight might be alive.

Clay looked ashamed. "Aw Sue, I'm sorry."

Sue glared at the old lion. "Next time, keep morbid speculations like that to yourself." She helped her nephew to his feet and escorted the trembling youth to her room.

Clay watched them go and he covered his face.

Ash watched him sadly but said nothing. He has only just learned how to be among people again not even a year ago. He's still relearning.

She was interrupted by the sound of a powerful sneeze.

Johnny wiped and held his nose, which was still healing after injuring it the night before.

"I hope you're not getting a cold," Ash said.

"I...I certainly hope not," Johnny said nasally as he massaged his aching nose. "Bad enough I got a broken nose. Sneezing would make it worse."

Meena sat next to Johnny and put an arm around him. "We're here for you Johnny. Whatever happens, like always, we'll help each other get through this."

Johnny smiled lightly. "I know. Thanks guys."

Clay yawned out loud, mouth open as though he were roaring. "I'd better turn in too." He stood up gingerly and walked down one of the hallways leading to his own room. "Good night everyone."

"Good night Clay," Ash said.

She turned to the others and noticed that Gunter, who was snoring obnoxiously, and Buster were already asleep in armchairs.

Porsha was laid out on the sofa, lightly snoring.

Johnny on the other hand, was sulking while Meena was trying to comfort him.

Rosita seemed to have gone off to bed without anyone noticing.

"Meena, why don't you put Porsha in her own bed? I'll take Johnny to his room."

The elephant nodded hesitantly. "Ok Ash." She stood up from the sofa and very gently picked up Porsha.

Very quietly, Meena carried her down the hall.

Ash headed down the opposite gall, with Johnny following her behind.

He was still clutching the towel around his shoulders.

Ash looked up at him and seeing the sad, somber look on his face, she patted his leg.

"You ok big guy?"

Johnny said nothing.

Ash frowned sadly to herself. "Look, I'm sorry Johnny. I shouldn't have teased you like that."

"It isn't that Ash."

The porcupine looked surprised. "Well what is it then? Is it what happened tonight?"

Johnny grimaced painfully. "That's part of it. But it's mostly...well…her."

Ash nodded in understanding. "Nooshy."

Johnny nodded. "I like her," he said as though he were mourning. "I really like her."

Ash smiled. "Why don't you tell her then?"

Johnny looked away. "I have a feeling she already knows. And...I'm scared she doesn't feel the same way."

"You won't know that unless you talk to her."

Johnny met Ash's gaze and his look became hard. "Sometimes it's best to not know things."

Ash narrowed her eyes. "Not in this case Johnny. You can't torment yourself like this. One of these days, you gotta make a move."

Johnny's face reddened.

"How did this develop in the first place?" Ash asked, genuinely curious. "Your feelings for her I mean."

Johnny pursed his lips nervously. "It didn't start right away, it wasn't love at first sight. I mean she was never bad looking, looks never appealed to me. I just wasn't looking for a relationship at the time. But as I got to know her, her confidence, her energy, her spontaneity, but most of all how kind she was, her patience when she gave me dancing lessons, how she encouraged me, and how funny she was, I just found myself wanting to be around her more often and I didn't rightly know why."

Johnny hadn't noticed but as he continued talking, a dreamy smile appeared on his lips.

"And on that night, when we finally performed Out of this World, when Klaus had knocked me down a peg, I was ready to give up. But Nooshy, she didn't let me give up. When she banged that drum again and again, I was suddenly more scared of giving up than anything else. If it hadn't been for her. I would have never found the courage to beat Klaus once and for all."

Johnny sighed deeply. "And when the show was over, I was scared, scared that Nooshy and I would have to part ways. So I did something I've never done before, I asked her straight out if she'd like to come with us back to Calatonia."

Ash grinned. "You did huh?"

Johnny nodded bashfully. "She was planning to leave Red Shore City anyway. That's why she was making money dancing in the street. She was looking to make enough so she could leave Red Shore City and start a new life. And here's the thing, when I finally mustered up the courage to ask, she looked at me wide eyed and I was afraid that I went too far. Then she smiled so widely that it reached her ears."

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck. "And she...she hugged me around the neck and said that I saved her the trouble of asking me herself. And she said she'd be honored. And the rest is history."

"And that was it?" Ash asked.

Johnny shook his head. "No, back then we were just friends, good friends but it wasn't until Nana's premiere that I actually fell for her."

Ash nodded with a knowing smile. "Her red outfit?"

Johnny nodded with a wide, almost idiotic smile. "And the moment I saw her step out of that limo, when I saw her in that suit for the first time, I was just stunned. I just went numb. And this thought popped into my head like it was the most natural thing in the world, it just came out of nowhere, and I was thinking, 'I have never seen her look so beautiful.'"

Johnny gulped. "The thought surprised me. I've never thought that way about anyone in my life."

Ash looked up at Johnny, a bit shocked. "You never thought about girls that way, not once in your life?"

Johnny shrugged. "Well there was the occasional crush but those passed quickly. I don't even remember who those girls were." Johnny gulped again. "Nooshy was something else. When I saw her for the first time, I didn't really see anything in her looks. She was good looking, no denying that. And I found myself appreciating her looks as we got to know each other better."

Johnny chuckled nervously. "Thankfully she never noticed all those times I stared at her."

Ash smirked at him. "She didn't maybe."

Johnny blinked. "Wh-What?"

"You're not exactly subtle with your feelings Johnny. You think no one would've noticed that look you had when Nooshy showed herself? The way you grinned like an idiot, the way you swayed like you were about to tip over like a house of cards? And this was after she winked at you. Yeah, I saw that. Did you know Porsha had to excuse herself when she couldn't keep from laughing?"

Johnny covered his face, any redder and he'd be a tomato.

Ash patted him on his very long arm. "Hey hey, Johnny, it's ok. Nooshy is special to you, very special. But you know you're special to her too, even if she doesn't realize it."

Johnny looked up, embarrassed tears starting in his eyes. "You think so?"

Ash nodded, smiling. "I know so. Do you know how upset she was when you went off to get those meds and didn't come back." She shuddered. "She looked ready to tear Ryan to pieces when she found out that he left you alone. And when we saw that livestream, when your dad dragged you out of the river, and when you weren't responding…" Ash sniffled, her own eyes starting to sting with emotion. "...Nooshy just broke down. I have never seen her that way in the short time we've known her. It was...foreign to her. She was always the strong one. To see her break down and cry like that, like it was the end of the world, it was heartbreaking."

Johnny's face screwed up with emotion. He slumped against the wall, and slid down until he was sitting, hugging his knees to his chest. "I...I knew she was angry...but I had no idea…"

Ash nodded in agreement. "And when you came to, when you came to life…it was like new life was put in her. She cried and she cried and she cried until she had no more strength to cry."

Johnny looked aghast as he bowed his head. "Oh man, I'm such an idiot."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far...but taking on those guys by yourself was pretty dumb." Ash gave Johnny a playful punch to the shoulder. "Nice one by the way."

Johnny chuckled. "Thanks I think." He sighed deeply. "I have to make it up to her."

"Yeah you do." Ash yawned. "You gonna be ok?"

Johnny waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just need to process this. Sorry for scaring you guys."

"I know," Ash said as she gave Johnny one last hug around the neck. "I'm glad you're ok."

Johnny sniffled emotionally. "You guys are going to make me cry."

"There's been a lot of that lately." Ash turned to leave. "G'night lover boy."

Johnny blushed madly.

Ash gave him a cheeky grin. "Sorry, couldn't resist."

00000

Nooshy tossed and turned, so much she was starting to chafe.

Covers over her head, which she shouldn't have to do as she was warm enough already.

But it was something she did when she was upset enough.

It wasn't her fever that kept her up, or the raw soreness in her healing ribs.

It was him.

What is wrong with me?

The raw emotion that followed after learning Johnny left the safehouse and didn't come back, and then seeing him almost die tonight was more than just a little uncomfortable.

It was unbearable.

It was like I was the one who was dying instead of him.

And then it occurred to her. Was this how Johnny felt when she was in his position, when she had nearly been killed and then lying in that hospital bed after surgery?

A terrible discomfort filled her chest. Thinking of this reminded her of the role she played in her attacker's demise, the brother of the animal who nearly killed Johnny. The same brother who wanted her dead for what she had done to his brother.

Did I do this?

This idea seemed to hurt her worse than her injuries, perhaps almost as much as nearly losing Johnny tonight.

One thought seemed to console her somewhat.

Well…at least DiMarco's dead. He can't hurt anyone now.

Nooshy's anxious thoughts were interrupted by the sound of grating snoring.

She uncovered her head and sat up to see in the bed opposite of her's was Porsha. She was stretched out, mouth slightly open and a line of drool along her mouth and soaking her plush pillow.

The sound of her snoring sounded like a motorboat on steroids.

"Aw no!" Nooshy said in irritated disbelief.

Well...definitely not getting much sleep tonight.

Then Nooshy saw something glinting from Porsha's nightstand. It was full of color and fluorescence.

It was her massive makeup kit.

Looking at it and looking back at the spoiled, sleeping rich girl, Nooshy hatched an idea.

An awful idea.

Nooshy had a wonderful and yet awful idea.

An evil grin stretched on her face.

Very quietly, she tiptoed to Porsha's nightstand and closely examined a few of her lipstick cylinders and power puffs.

Trying very hard to contain her laughter, she looked back at Porsha, unsuspecting and aware.

This will teach her to take photos of me and Johnny boy without permission.

Then she spied the eyeliner.

That one will be for anything I missed.

00000

Morning.

Rosita stretched and yawned as she sat up in bed, her husband Norman still sleeping soundly on his side.

She looked to an entryway where her children were sleeping. Nana took the liberty of preparing a room just for them as well, bunk beds and all.

Rosita smiled gratefully. And she managed to pull it off in a single day. I don't think I could ever thank her enough for it.

She really couldn't. Nana was flattered to be sure but she tended to get a bit uncomfortable when one offered her a little too much gratitude, much like when Buster Moon and her grandson Eddie embraced her on the day she paid for the rebuilding of the Moon Theater.

She was getting used to it though and seeing those bright, smiling faces on all those little piglets made the fawning more bearable.

Well, better get breakfast started and make sure that Nooshy, Johnny and Jimmy are doing ok.

Rosita slid off the bed and when she felt something small and squirming when her feet lightly touched what she thought was supposed to be the floor.

"Ah!" cried a small voice.

"Oh!" Rosita exclaimed, looking down and she gasped. "Caspar?"

Caspar, stirring from his uneasy slumber, fought his way out of the blankets he had put together for a makeshift bed.

"Oh honey, why aren't you in bed with your brothers and sisters."

Caspar rubbed his eyes. "I had a bad dream."

Rosita's tender heart ached. My kids have been having more bad dreams lately, ever since Nooshy was attacked.

"Oh Caspar," Rosita cooed as she scooped the piglet in her arms.

"Is Johnny back?" Caspar asked tearfully.

Rosita smiled. "Yes, his dad brought him not long after you were put to bed."

Caspar smiled widely, but he was still crying. "Is he ok?"

"He's fine," Rosita said assuredly. "You can see him soon but he might still be sleeping dear, especially after such a big night."

Caspar pouted.

"Now now, none of that," Rosita said sternly. "Let's put you back to bed. It's still early and I can see that you're still sleepy."

Caspar shook his head but yawned. "Am not," he whined.

Rosita chuckled before nuzzling her son. "Liar."

Caspar giggled.

As Rosita took her son in her arms and made her way to the kids' bedroom, a thought crossed her mind that she hadn't realized hadn't occurred to her until just now.

"Caspar?"

"Yes mommy?"

"What did you mean when you said you knew it, on the night we arrived at the safehouse back in Jersey? When Johnny gave Nooshy her nose ring back..." Rosita cleared her throat. "...on one knee."

This question seemed to excite Caspar. "I asked Nooshy if she was going to marry Johnny."

Rosita put a hand to her mouth with a light gasp. "Caspar," she aghast. "You shouldn't ask such a question of her. That is a deeply personal matter."

"But they like each other a whole lot, don't they? Just the way they look at each other when they're not looking."

Rosita needed a moment to understand young Caspar's choice of words. "And just how do they look at each other?"

Caspar grinned. "You remember how daddy was looking at you when you sang Shake it off?"

Rosita's cheeks showed a rosy tint. "Yes?"

"That's how Johnny was looking at Nooshy at Nana's movie thing."

Rosita chuckled to herself, like a shy school girl watching her favorite chick flick. "I noticed."

It was so cute. "And what about Nooshy?" I shouldn't ask but...

Caspar pursed his lips in thought. "Well...I remember seeing her stare at him while he was practicing his dancing. She sort of had this dreamy look and when he saw her, he smiled and she turned her head away. Her face was red."

"Hmm." That's odd. I don't remember getting that kind of impression from her. "When did this happen?"

"Just before the show in Georgia."

That was almost a year ago, barely a month after the Noodleman premiere.

"Has...Nooshy looked at Johnny this way after that?" I really shouldn't poke my nose into this, but...something in me says otherwise.

Caspar scratched his head. "Three times, maybe."

Rosita gaped at him, amazed at her son's ability to remember. Three times that he knows of. Perhaps I should have a word with Nooshy about this.

00000

Nooshy ran.

And she ran.

There was the door and she opened it.

She coughed when a noxious black smell came from the room, the smell of rot.

She escaped him or thought she did.

She stood at the doorway, not sure what she was seeing.

There in the dark room, was a disheveled, filthy Giuseppe DiMarco. The leopard turned to gaze at Nooshy with a slack, almost dead look.

He looked as though he was dead.

And judging by the smell in the room, it was probably true.

Nooshy took a step back. "Uhhh…" she gasped in terrified disbelief. "What...what…?!"

Giuseppe lifted a spasming hand and appeared to be trying to point at her.

"Ooooooo….kuhllllldd….meeee…." he croaked, his lips dripping with saliva.

"What?!" Nooshy cried. "No! I-!"

"Kuhlllldd...meeee…"

Nooshy put her hands up, trying to placate the decaying leopard. "No! Please! Don't say that!" She was shaking, backed away until she hit a wall where the open door should've been.

She turned her head to see that there was no door at all.

It was as if the walls swallowed it up.

Nooshy looked back to see the decaying zombie of her attacker still pointing a clumsy, spasming hand at her as though he were accusing her.

"I'm...I'm sorry!" Nooshy said, tears starting in her eyes. "I didn't mean to but you just attacked me for no reason and I just wanted to stay alive! When I heard that you died, it's been eating at me ever since! Just...please...I'm sorry! Now leave me alone!"

Giuseppe just stared at her with that dead, incomprehensible look as though he were lost or at a loss. Probably both.

Then the room went black which caused Nooshy to cry out in surprise.

It was like when a room went dark due to faulty lighting.

The light flickered and one moment Giuseppe was gone and then…

...there stood someone else.

It looked like Giuseppe, except…

No.

The height was off. This one was leaner, not so rough looking.

He appeared to be drenched and just as filthy.

He gurgled as he opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was vomit and filthy water.

Nooshy felt sick.

As though he had just taken a dive in the bay.

Nooshy's eyes widened.

This was the brother.

Sean DiMarco.

Twice as dead and twice as malevolent.

The light came back fully and the room was different now.

There was a bed by the wall opposite Nooshy's.

There was someone sleeping in it.

"Johnny?"

The young gorilla, her best mate, was sleeping soundly in bed, as though all was right in the world.

How peaceful his face looked, mouth slightly agape, breathing lightly, eyes closed.

'Those wonderful eyes,' Nooshy thought.

She immediately recoiled at the idea. 'Eww, get it together, he's your friend, that's all!'

Was he though? Was that all he was?

Before Nooshy could shop the question away, she stopped dead when she saw Sean DiMarco attempt to reach a threatening hand towards Johnny, his intention to do harm clear.

"Oi!" Nooshy cried. "Hey! Get away from him!"

Sean did not seem to hear her. His hand was inches from Johnny's face.

Her anger now greater than her fear, as well as her fear for Johnny, she stepped forward, hands in front of her, prepared to ward off any attack that DiMarco might unleash if he decided to turn on her.

"Oi! Didn't you hear me! I said get away from him! Don't touch him!"

Sean turned suddenly, staring at Nooshy as though she were a fly on the wall.

And he spoke through wet, dirty lips, water coming out as he talked.

"Heeeee….kuhlllddd….meeee…."

Nooshy bared her teeth. "You tried to kill him! You tried to drive him off of a pier, along with Sue's nephew and that poor woman and her kid! You have no right to say he killed you! If anything you killed yourself! Just like your rotten brother did!"

Nooshy was almost as shocked by her own words as Sean was, his face registering it in such a way, his gaping mouth might've torn open.

Out came more vomit and water.

But something else.

A roar of unfathomable rage.

Sean charged forward towards Nooshy, hands outstretched.

Nooshy was pinned up against a wall and both of DiMarco's hands were pressed up against her skull, one sharp nail from his right thumb pressing dangerously close to her left eye.

"Get offa me!" Nooshy screamed. "Let go!"

"Wake...up...Nooshy...you're having...a nightmare."

"What?!"

00000

Nooshy blinked.

And she was on her back on the floor, one foot tangled in the blankets of her bed.

Rosita and Porsha were standing over her, concern writ large on their faces.

"Nooshy, are you ok?" Rosita asked.

Nooshy blinked to get the sleepiness out of her eyes. "Yeah...I think so."

She tried to push herself up but fell back as her foot was still bound to the tangle of bed covers.

As Rosita untangled the covers, Porsha helped Nooshy to her feet.

Nooshy rubbed her sore head, groaning in discomfort.

"That looked like it hurt," Porsha said. "You sure you're ok Noosh?"

The lynx looked up at the young wolf. Despite their clear height difference, it was not hard to see her face. It was untouched and unmarked.

Porsha noticed the odd stare. "What?"

I almost did it. I almost gave you a good makeover. But I guess I've been hanging out with Johnny for too long. You're a sensitive one Porsh and honestly, a few photos isn't worth making you cry.

"I just remembered," Nooshy replied. "What are you going to do with that photo you took of me and Johnny?"

"Oh," Porsha said awkwardly. "The one where it looks like he was proposing to you?"

Nooshy clenched her jaw as her face and ears reddened. "Yes," she said through clenched teeth.

Rosita fidgeted. Conversations of this nature tended to make her uncomfortable.

Porsha eased back from Nooshy, fear in her eyes. "I...deleted it the night before."

"Ya did?"

Porsha nodded anxiously.

"Good." Nooshy took notice of how regretful and ashamed the spoiled, rich girl looked. Not so spoiled anymore. "Porsha, I'm putting this behind us ok? I'm not going to hold this against you. Just don't do that again."

Porsha nodded tearfully. "I won't, I promise."

Overcome with shame, she bowed her head, letting her tears flow freely.

"Hey hey," Nooshy said, pulling the young wolf into an awkward embrace. "Porsha, it's ok. You don't need to carry this anymore. I've already had the impression that it was more than just the one picture, am I right?"

Nooshy felt the young wolf stiffen in her arms.

Nooshy patted her upper back soothingly. "Like I said, I'm putting it behind us. I don't even want to know what it is you took anyway. Let's just move forward from this ok?"

Nooshy didn't see it but she could Porsha nodding her head.

Nooshy pulled back and seeing that Porsha's face was matted with tears, her eyes red and raw, she took a box of tissues from her nightstand and offered it to her friend.

Porsha took a few, wiped her eyes, nose and cheeks, and smiled.

Nooshy returned the smile.

"C'mon," she said, giving Porsha a playful punch to the arm. "Let's get some breakfast. I'm feeling a bit peckish."

Rosita smiled as well as she placed a loving hand on Nooshy's arm. "I'm so proud of you Nooshy. You handled that beautifully."

Nooshy grinned sheepishly. "Johnny taught me a thing or two on the fine art of diplomacy."

Rosita quirked an eyebrow and a lopsided grin formed on her lips.

"What?"

Rosita giggled. "Oh nothing. C'mon, everything should be prepared by now."

Porsha licked her lips. "Awesome, I'm starved."

Before the trio left the room however, Rosita gave Nooshy a stern look. "I'd like to talk about your nightmare later Noosh, non-negotiable."

Nooshy frowned but nodded. "Fair enough."

…..

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