Warning: This chapter contains colorful language. If colorful language offends you then... blueyellowcyanredpurplevioletgreenpinkwhiteblackindigobeigechartreusecerulean!

Get offended!

But no really, there are going to be swears abound. And lots of shipping fuel... :O

Chapter 4: Behind the masks

The screenhood whooshed open, leaving me blinking at the trickle of neon light seeping through my window. Only forty-five minutes had passed, it seems like the dilation really was stronger than the one in Workstation. But more importantly: I wasn’t alone. I slowly slid a cool leather sheath from under my leg. “Did you have fun, Hale?”asked the silhouette lounging on the windowsill. My hand slackened.

“Lucy… you… did you come from the window?”

“A lady never reveals her secrets.”

I unhooked the neurodes, getting out of the capsule. The room shook me about, trying to unbalance me with every passing moment, whirling darkness swallowing me. Shaggy carpet and fraying laminated tiles buffered my feet. Stumbling to the fridge and peering inside, I looked back at Lucy, then the fridge again. Still spinning. Must be because I was playing that silly game that I feel like I’m sinking with the Titanic. I nestled my head somewhere in between the dill pickles and tofu tiramisu I should’ve thrown out three days ago. The chill brought my mind back on board, and pushed away my fatigue. I could hear Lucy tutting in the background but I didn’t care. Probably because I’m socool . Oh yeah, just bending over while wearing my refrigerator helmet. It was an old model from the early 2020’s but still delivered the cold, despite creaking with every swing.

After half a minute of frozen bliss, I finally pulled my head out, tussling my hair with the flat side of my knuckles. Lucy had moved to the small wooden table I made in woodshop. Her nails clicked impatiently over the surface, filling the silence between a grandfather clock’s ticks with a hasty, rhythmless staccato. I pulled out two glasses of orange juice from the fridge and set them down on the table.

“Were you expecting me?” she asked.

“Not this early. You shouldn’t be sitting out on window ledges like that. You’ll make me worry.”

“You make me worry a lot more! I can’t believe you… you…”

“Did you really miss me so much? I mean, Ladies don’t break into their boyfriend’s apartment unless...” I paused, looking back at her lips twisting into an annoyingly cute pout. “Is this a booty call?”

“No!” she yelled, covering her mouth with both hands, taken aback. “I’m here for a serious reason!”she hissed .

“I take sex very seriously. If you want, I can put on a suit and talk about my 401k while I-”

“Hale!”

“Fine… but don’t I atleast get a good morning kiss?”

She sneered a little bit before blowing me a kiss. Damn. Where did my sweet, lovey-dovey stalker girlfriend go? I must’ve screwed up big time. Maybe she’s still mad about the subway incident…

Lucy sipped her orange juice a little, her little hands antsy on the glass before draining it in one long gulp. A faint growl escaped her stomach. She looked pointedly away from me, tapping her foot slowly, softly.

“Hungry?” I asked. “I bet a high metabolism girl like you gets awful hungry when she’s staking out her victim- I mean, person of interest.”

“I got over my stalker phase already! So just-”

“Is that so? That’s a darn shame. I was going to give you these pictures of me while I was in London ”

“What? Give me-”

“Nope. Only if you’re honest with your feelings. Otherwise, I think I’ll just...”I pulled a lighter out of my pocket.

She slapped my arm, putting a scowl on her face. She turned away from me, muttering something under her breath.

“What was that?”

“Can you make Piksinnabanft?”

“I can’t hear you.”

“Can… you make pigs in a blanket?”She coughed before adding “With honey, cheese and chocolate?”

“Imight be able to… but only if a very cute girl asked me…”

“Please?”

I circled around her, and put my hands over her stomach and whispered:

“Forget pigs in a blanket. How about a fill up your tummy with something… else.

“Hale! Yes-I mean don’t- you can’t!”

“Oh is that so? Just pigs in a blanket? I dunno… not really feeling it…”

“Please please please, pretty please with a cherry on top? Wait… don’t try and distract me with your food and your pictures and your… your…”

“My what? What am I distracting you with?”

“You are distracting me with your… gah! Shut up shut up shut up! Just give me food and those pictures!

“Are you sure you wouldn’t want anything... else?”

“I’m sure!”

“I see… if I don’t give it to you, then maybe I’ll have to find somebody to accept it...” I said, before flashing a heart sign at her. “I still love you though.”

In the darkest part of the morning, only her quiet laughter cut through the silence. She cupped her hands over her cheeks, staring down at the rough edges of the table. Wind blew through the opened window behind her, scattering her hair and her prim little blouse.

“I love you too. Even if you are Face.”

“What? My face?” I dabbed a napkin all over my mouth.“Is there something on it?

“You really are cool under pressure. Aren’t you, Face?”

“Why are you calling me-”

“I saw it. Your mask. And I always knew you had... suspicious materials in your possession. Besides, you even specialize in revolutionary history!”

“So that’s why you came. You figured me out earlier than I predicted. As expected of my favorite little stalker.”

“Don’t call me a stalker! You better explain why the hell you’re doing this stupid revolution stuff! And more importantly, how did you manage to hide this from me?”

“Fine.” I chuckled. “How about we discuss this over breakfast?”

“Mmm. Breakfast sounds good. I can’t wait for you to start a revolution in my tastebuds. Wait! Stop distracting me!”

“Tsk tsk.”I muttered. “At this rate, not even getting naked will work as a diversion…”

Lucy thwacked me on the head with a couch cushion.“Just make some breakfast!”

An hour, five glasses of orange juice, half a bottle of chocolate syrup, twenty-odd pancakes and two failed attempts at a kiss later, Lucy had stopped glaring at me, fiddling with the chocolate stained crumbs on her plate.

“Hale?” she said, twirling her fork in circles.

“Yeah?”

“If y-you di-d-die, then I- I’ll never forgive…”

“You’ll never forgive me?”

“No… I’ll never forgive myself.”

“What?”

“I’ll never forgive myself for not abducting you to some far off place where you won’t be in any danger.”

I got out of my seat and put my arms around her, kissing the top of her head.

“You’re so cute when you’re like this Lucy…”

“Shut up!”She said, not taking my arms off of her. “I’m serious! Promise me you won’t die.”

“I won’t die... yet.”

“You will die if you don’t give me a proper promise!”

“Sorry. It’s the best I got.”

She wriggled out of my arms, meeting me eye-to eye - her irises were mostly bitter, but slightly nervous, maybe even a little excited. Fingers traced over my hand, wrapping them firmly in a cold embrace.

“Let me in. I’ll protect you.”

“Are you sure? It’s dangerous and I’m gonna’ work you to the bone too. I couldn’t let such a skilled stalker go to waste.”

“Don’t call me a... you know what? Whatever. Congratulations. I’m your #1 beautiful, genius stalker! Happy?”

“I’m very happy. It means we get to spend more time together.”

“Hmph!” she said, blushing to the tips of her ears. “I-If that makes you so happy then why didn’t you ask me earlier?”

“I was tempted. I really was. Somebody as loyal and skilled as you… plus I knew you wouldn’t refuse. But in the end… nobody wants to see their loved ones killed.”

“Aww… you’re so sweet. I might even forgive you…”

“You will?”

“Maybe… I can never stay mad at you… but is it really that dangerous? I know what I said earlier but it can’t be that bad.”

“Nope. Think about it. You’re going to be a full-time, decked out stalker… no, more than a stalker. Stalkers only have to worry about restraining orders. As for you…”

“I’m going to be a spy?”

“You might be spy. That is… if you choose to accept your mission…” I said in a gritty, heroic growl.

“I’ll do it as long as I can still see my Mr. Moneypenny.” she cooed.

“Don’t kid yourself. I’m obviously M.”

“M? Maybe if ‘M’ stands for masochist.”

“Nonsense. ”

“You have to admit it’s weird for a guy to like a girl who’s… umm… kidnapped him and to basically piss anyone who’s anybody important in criminal or government affairs just because… well… you like it, right?”

“Nonsense! I’m just a lover of Revolution and cute stalker girls like you!”

“Ha~le.” she said softly. “Do you really think you can the truth from me?”

“I planned on recruiting you from the very beginning, as soon as I found out you weren’t with the Russians. This was probably three days after you started watching me.”

“Only three days? But I never noticed you counter- watching me.”

“I first noticed on March 24th of last year.”

“You’re like a monster, you know? How come you haven’t taken over the world yet?”

“I’m a monster? Well you scared the hell out of me. You were just too good for an amateur. If you want in, it’s not like I could stop you, given your skill.”

“Damn right you can’t. And no more of this secret business alright? We’re doing this together now.”

“No secret business? Okay. Then you first. Why did you first become so infatuated with me?”

“We’ll do this some other time.”

“Hey, wait! You wretched stalker woman! Answer my question!!!”

Bones POV Rise and shine!

Mist dampened my skin, as the capsule opened. Through the fog, I watched him stretch and yawn as the game world shimmered away. He always looked good stretching. Like he’d grabbed a star out of the sky and was squishing it in one hand and gulping it down in the other. I found myself giggling when he suddenly cocked his head towards me, slowly turning away but leaving his eyes on me. Heat rose in the pit of my stomach, trails of flutters swept over my body. No need to get nervous, I thought. He’s just suspicious of you. You’ve been steeped in violence too long, it’s scaring him. Still, he kept staring at me, a little smirk lighting up his face. The classic English afternoon warmth kissed my skin, my face, my shoulders, my... I quickly rebuttoned my shirt, hurrying off to the parlor.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed!” he called out.

“There’s no need for you to stare either!”

“You left your bra by the capsule!”

Prickles of heat rushed to my face, my chest sinking and rising. I ran back to the capsule, stopping only when I saw him staring at me. I peeked down into my shirt. Still wearing a bra… I stormed out of the room, clenching my fists, thumping my legs. I sped past the parlor and to the kitchen. Yanking open the fridge, I grabbed a piece of packaged ground beef. It was dressed up in the colors of Mexico, or at least what the English would consider ‘hispanic’ and was blanketed with stupid smiley faces sticking out their tongues. Bam! One less smiley. I punched the meat over and and over until the packaging was frayed and beef juice dripped down my knuckles.

“Don’t fuck with me.” I spat, not turning around. “God damn horny little rich bastard.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say.” he said. He’d been watching from the sides, but now he’d come up to me and started circling around me. He was too close! His gaze alone was basically sexual harassment! This rotten scummy shmuck!

“You should be more careful, Ria. You might hurt yourself, if you exert yourself so much!”

He grabbed my hands and put them together, his around mine. My palms were sweaty, I was nervous too but at least I didn’t eat Mom’s Spaghetti. Stop thinking stupid shit, I scolded myself. He brushed his thumbs over my hands. Something in my chest tightened. Probably my spleen. There’s no way this kind of guy could work me over. His breath grazed my knuckles, he was looking at them. His eyes snapped back at mine. It took every muscle in my body not to jump up and skitter around.

“You’re a girl, you know? You can’t just punch everything to pieces. You’ve got such delicate hands. Look how small and soft they are.”

I know! I know goddammit! I know my hands like… like the back of my hands! Don’t say that smartass caring bullshit to me! I thought that, but all I could say back to him was:

“Y-yeah. I’ll be more careful.”

“Here. You cut yourself there. I’ll get you a bandage right quick.”

“T-Thanks.”

I’m sure this all just a part of his plan to make sure I’m compliant and loyal. I bet he planned this whole incident beforehand. He’s just a- wait then how would he know I’d hit the meat? Crap.

When he came back with the bandage, my chest was beating faster and faster and faster… I must have liver problems, although the liver is on the right side of the chest and where I’m feeling it is more to the left… that must be a pretty serious sign. I should go to a doctor.

He snapped his fingers in front of my face. I flinched.

“Hello? You still there?”

“Yeah, I’m fine! Now gimme the bandage!” I said, reaching outward as fast as I could. He pulled it away from me, making a pouty face.

“Don’t be silly. Let me put it on for you.”

I extended my hand out. He took my hand gently and held it like a ballroom dancer while he took the bandage out of its sterile wrapping. His hands were pretty big, smooth too, except at the fingertips where they were rough ridges and bumps. Too much time typing and playing the harmonica probably. He didn’t let go of my hand after he put the bandage on. Instead, he bent down and kissed the spot the bandage covered.

“Eeek!”

“Now it ought to heal faster.”he said, tracing his thumb over my hand and letting it fall. “That’s the power of love, you see.”

“Wha-”

For a second, his eyes were filled with a soft and happy light. It wasn’t one his usual ones, where he crinkled at the eyes and puffed out a pair of majestic dimples. This smile was like an accident. Something that just slipped out. His eyes gleamed and the smile spread and it was gone.

“Hehe.” he said, rubbing his nose. “I’m joking! I’m joking! Ow! Don’t hit me! Heavens, you would make a great boxer!”

“And you would make a good punching bag!”

“Stop it! You’re supposed to be mybodyguard ! You’re- ahh! That hurts!”

“I’m just protecting you from your own depravity! You freaking sex pervert!”

“Mercy! I’m sorry! It was an accident! I’ll buy you all the clothes you want!”

“Clothes? You mean those designer scraps of fabric that couldn’t cover 10% of my body?”

“They were just a little revealing, right? Ouch! Ria! I promise I’ll never do anything indecent again!”

“Really?”

“No. Not really.” he said, flinching his hands over his face “What are you my mother?”

They were just light hits. It’s hard to believe Thomas was such a wimp. I bared my teeth and growled. He backed away. Much better. I can’t work properly with this guy on my ass.

“So what do you think he’s up to?”he said, looking at everywhere but me. “That Face fellow?”

For some reason I wanted to punch him again. Doesn’t make any sense. He’s doing what I want him to do so why would I feel this way? He really knows how to get under my skin. I planted my feet , stepping forward, my knuckles clenched tightly.

“Ria? Are you- are you alright?”

“Y-yeah.”

It was gone. Where did it go? God, I’m so fucked in the head.

“So what about, Face? Do you have any idea what he’s up to?”

“Something bigger than ever before.” I sighed. “I can’t even imagine what it might be.”

“You don’t have any clue?”

“Do you?”

“No… to be truthful I’m not sure if I want to know either.” he laughed, flitting his eyes around. “He’s got that feeling on him, you know? It gives me the willies.”

“That feeling you’re talking about… you have no idea.”

“Huh?”

“You have no idea what this guy is.” I shuddered. “I’ve seen starving kids bite racoons to death. Watched lunatics mix cement with other people’s body parts in them. Stood in the presence of the harshest, bloodiest mobsters in Detroit. He has the same feel as they did. Wild… dark… strong and… possessed. ”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ria. You think he’s a violent psychopath? He’s a real piece of work, but I think that’s going too far.”

“He never lets it slip. But he oozes it, like he can’t hold it back fully. This sort of intensity… it’s the kind that makes people cower in fear or bow down in respect. Like an evil emperor.”

“Well, maybe a little bit. But there’s no way he would do anything emperor-like. We’ve been together for all these years-”

“And he still doesn’t trust us with knowing his plans. We’ve stayed because we know he can do the plan and execute the incredible things we need to happen to make a new future. But we don’t know if he will follow up on that.”

“But-”

“Be honest. We all joined for the reason of making use of his strength and the team’s strength as well. We could’ve taken our talents to any organization, many much bigger and better organized than this one. But we’re here because he approached us and we felt it immediately. He wasn’t one to half-ass things or let trivial matters stop him.He wasn’t one who believed in good or evil, but to his core, he was steeped in ruthlessness and mischief. And he’s proven it with his actions. We came along to make sure he act as we feared and if he does… then we’ll be the ones to stop him.”

“Ria… weren’t you supposed to be the silent bodyguard type?”

“That’s the only thing you have to say?!?”

“Okay okay. Fine. He worries me a bit. But I think his style of revolution- the one we’ve all been working towards- I don’t think a detestable person could wage that kind of revolution. He might be a little scary. Yes. However, it wouldn’t be fit to have some lackadaisical daisy-dancer, leading us. How else could an eight person team couldn’t take on the world? But... you know this, don’t you?”

“He’s like a coin. However you flip him, you can only call heads or tails.”

“Then we’ll make him into a trick coin.” Mark said.

“Yeah. Wasn’t that what we’ve been doing these last six years?”

“Looks like we’re on the same page.”

“It seems so. I bet River feels so too, and is maybe a few steps ahead of us, same with Galeforce. Although, I don’t really know where Slips and Boxman stand...”

“To be fair, nobody knows where those tech-heads stand.”

“Yeah, those weirdos...”

A peek at Slips POV!

Boxman’s, or should I say, Mark’s drones were incredible. Maneuverability, moderate optical camouflaging, high range dynamic microphones, the battery life, the interface and of course the 4k video cameras all one bit of nonmetallic polymer smaller than the tip of my pinky. It was great hardware... which is why I hacked them. It's not like it was particularly hard, as I wrote in a few backdoors while I was coding them. That hunky little tinkerer was too naive. How could I not resist? His house was enough out of the way to run to and by the looks of the steam on his windows... he was taking a shower right now. This is wrong isn't it? After all the fucked up things that happened today, I can't believe I'm doing this...

I was wearing a dark grey hoodie with my laptop on a bench just opposite his house. My stomach gurgled and frothed. Focus! I finished loading an alternate interface for the drones, rubbing my stomach all the while. Maybe that was the teriyaki instant ramen from lunch? I sighed, a sloppy smile stretching over my face. Man... that was some good ramen... my fingers were so heavy, I felt so muddled... what with fatigue, indigestion and panty staining excitement, a hard thumping in my chest... I should probably do this another time. No! Never retreat! This is a chance that only presents itself(even though he showers every day) on seldom an occasion! Attack! Attack! Attack! I'm getting that nude shot if it's the last thing I do! Today is the day! Wait I feel kinda bad though...I should probably stop... Oh boy. The drones are already...

I breathed in. Out. In. Out. Screw the rules. My breathing was ragged, eyes opened wide trying to see every little detail. The three drones I had under my command passed through the cat flap on his door. His house was lined with green stone and area rugs. Chintzy furniture clashed with clay pottery and paintings which could only be classified as 'Modern art'. The whole house was lit faint orange, a warm honey-like glow too cozy for a bachelor like him. Instead of checking out his sweet pad, I rushed a single drone up the staircase, hoping I wasn't too late. I couldn't breathe: fear, anxiety, excitement and just plain horniness choked my breath. Ping! Somebody messaged me? No time. Ping! I said, I'm busy! Ping! I'm gonna frickin get your IP and burn your life to the ground. I switched tabs to my email. It was like being sucker punched.

Mark: hey I just came out of the shower. wanna come over?

Teri: i'm busy. i'll catch you later.

Mark: busy doing what? taking naughty photos with my drones? don't you want the REAL deal, instead of a few pictures?

Bastard. He knew.

Teri: you... are you dressed right now?

Mark: yep but don't worry. I just want you to tell me what you think of my new cologne.

Teri: coming

Ten seconds later, I'd pressed his doorbell. The door swung open. He was waiting and he looked furious.

“Well. If it isn't my favorite little creeper. How are you this fine-”

I pushed past him into his house, covering my nose.

“Ugh! That's horrible! What is it? Eau de trash?”

“What? You hate it?”

“The only thing keeping me in here is that tight, slightly wet white T-shirt you're wearing.” I gasped, holding my nose. Actually, he smelled pretty good, but I needed to break his rhythm otherwise I'd probably sell my soul for an unwashed pair of his briefs. I crashed on armchair underneath a multiheaded, multicolored lamp, plotting my next move.

“You better not run away, Teri!” he said, probably changing his scent in some other room. “We need to talk!”

“Alright. Alright.” I said. I hate it when he goes on the offensive. If I'm not in control of the pace, he'll make me do some totally lame things like debugging or even worse, GUI design. Such a waste of my talents.

“You look like a crack dealer. “ he said. “Although, most crack dealers don't wear yoga pants...”

“They're comfortable!”

“Is a hoodie comfortable in the middle of summer?”

“That was just for stealth!”

“Stealth? As if I wouldn't be able to recognize you leering at me across the street.”

“Oh yeah. What about you? What's up with those PJ's? Dinosaurs are so third grade!”

“What's that? You wanna fight?”

“Yeah, I wanna kick your lame, grade-school ass!”

“Kiddie pajamas are cool! You've just been fapping in your basement for too long to realize that!”

“Why you...”

“Did I hit a nerve?”

“Screw you! You're just a meatbag with no other purpose but to reproduce!”

“Say that again. I dare you. Say it again.”

“Y- You're just a shitty muscle robot that makes other shitty robots!”

Ah... I got angry. Maybe I could just... oh man. He looks super pissed. He really is like the Hulk.

“Umm, Mark? I didn’t really-”

“You'd think with the internet at your disposal, you'd be able to find some other dreamy beefcake to get yourself off to-”

“Mark...”

“Why do you have to take out your perversions on me? For crying out loud, you're twenty-six already! Isn't it about time to move on! Honestly, I'm sick and fucking tired of your bullshit already-”

“Mark...”

“You've been clinging onto me like a bad case of intestinal worms since I was fifteen! First it was just the pictures. Then you started sending me cat ears and butler outfits and g-strings ... and-” He shuddered for a moment. “And then you started going everywhere I went. The coffee store. My workshop. My gym. Even joined the same freaking revolution as me? Don't you have any self-respect? Jesus, I- ”

“Mark!”

“What?!?”

“I-”

Tears were streaming down my face. What? When did this happen? I shouldn't care about something like this? Seeing his face... hearing his voice... knowing what I was going to say to him... I'd rather shatter a window with my fists and eat the shards than stay here. The deep scowl on his face vanished abruptly. He stepped closer to me, his hulking frame only a few inches taller than mine.

“I hate you.” I said. “I hate you I hate you I hate you!”

He stepped back, he seemed lost for a second, but a smile crept up his face. A big one. That bastard...

“Good! I hate you too!”

“One more thing.”

“What?”

“I'm staying the night.”

“Hell no. Get out of my house.”

“Then call the cops on me.”

“You think I wouldn't do that?”

“I know you wouldn't do that.”

“You're right. I won't call the cops.” he said, his face softening. “That's right. I'll throw your scrawny ass out myself!” he yelled, making a fist in front of his face.

I sat back in the chair under the lamp, crossing my arms, folding my legs, looking away.

“Do your worst.”

“With pleasure.” he said, grinding his teeth. He yanked me up over his shoulder. I kicked and pounded him, screaming and spitting. Obviously, I couldn't stop him. I craned my head up as much as possible. He wasn't heading for the door. He was going up the staircase, two steps at a time.

“A-aren't you going to kick me out?”

“Did you know that the majority of rapes are perpetrated by somebody the victim knows?”

Oh. My. God. He's gone off his rocker. I tempted him too much, pissed him off too much and he's gone mad. He won't be gentle, right? There's no way. And he's huge, he could split me in half with a single smack. I'm done for. I want to scream. But his house is soundproof... is it possible that I'm not his first victim?

“I have to say.” he said. “Even if I did have my way with you. You wouldn't object, right? Probably because you like this kind of fucked up shit. Are you getting excited right now?”

Farewell, my virginity. It was nice knowing you... in some corner of my mind a girlish voice said faintly ‘I’ll miss you too, girl!’ At least Mark had a nice body… no what am I saying?

“No.” I croaked. “Stop it. I don't want this.”

“Too bad.” he laughed coldly.“You're not getting anything, anyways. I don't even wanna fucking touch you a second more.”

He opened up the door to his guest room, tossed me on the bed and just walked away.

“You better not masturbate on that bed!”

“I- I’ll masturbate as much as I want! But it won’t be to you! I’m gonna squirt all over this thing to some 2d guy who’s way hotter than some loose bag of brawn like you!”

“Bitch!”

“Meatsack!”

“Harlot!”

“Asshole!”

“Why don't you just die already!?!”

“Why don't you!?!”

I could hear him breathing hard just out of sight. Bang! He thumped the wall and stormed down the stairs. I kicked the bed, and kicked it and kicked it- I hate that guy! He's always been such a freakin snub! I wanna... I balled my fist up and pounded on the bed. My muscles were already sore and my dried sweat moistened.

“You can just go to hell, Mark!” I screamed with one last punch.

God, I'm done. Let me just pass out. Please? And as surely as I couldn’t do sustained cardio, a warm blackness swept over me.

“Hey... Teri?” a voice asked softly. Mark’s voice.

“What?” I shot up, frazzled and stumbling backward. He faced away from me on a chair near the bed. A clock on a nightstand told me it was long past the meet-up time Face specified.

“You okay?”

“Sure, I am.”

“I already told him we won't be coming.” he said.

“We?”

“We.” he said. “I told you we're going to talk. You're going to tell me just what the hell happened, alright?”

“Oh… yeah that I was planning on-”

“I heard fire and police sirens earlier today at least three separate times. And now you show up, sweaty and smelling like smoke trying to play it off by taking some nude pics of me with my freaking drones?”

“Uhh...”

“They didn't follow you, right?”

I nodded numbly. He smiled, patting the side of the bed before awkwardly turning. A scuffling sound, his shoes against the floor, but he was still standing by me, turning halfway to look at me.

“I-I-” he was sighing heavily. “ I've got a spare inhaler in the fridge along with some chocolate almond milk.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“You just sit tight, you little creeper.” he muttered. “I've got a first aid kit and some other goodies for naughty girls like you.”

“Umm.. Mark?” I caught myself saying.

“What is it Teri?” he said, almost at the doorway but stopped.

“I don't really hate you...”

“Yeah. I know.”

River POV. Floating your way! (How many more times will this guy change POV's?)

The room lost its breath. Colors faded and sharpened but the words, Face’s words still hung in the air.

“You think Slips was attacked?” I finally said.

“90% sure. Our enemies have already caught up to Galeforce. As you know he’s been attacked multiple times within the last few months. It’s very disconcerting these personal attacks and both Galeforce and Slips play crucial parts to our plan here as well.”

“So we’re not just here to play?” Sparky asked.

“I’m afraid not.” he said.

“So tell us, Face?” Rainmaker asked. “What is the plan?”

“Well, Rainmaker.” he said with that devilish smile of his. “I’m glad you asked.”

Chapter notes: Lots of drama. Lots of pairs to be shipped. Lots of intrigue. Admittedly, this chapter turned out better than I hoped! :am: