*I ACCIDENTALLY PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER AND SO STUFF HAPPENED. ISN'T THAT LOVELY??

SHERBET ICE CREAM IS REALLY TASTY AT 2 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

A ROOSTER SIGNALED THE MORN AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

THAT DAMN ROOSTER DOESN'T COCKELSUCKADICK UNTIL 6AM!

OH GOD.

So hEY GUYS AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER CHAPTER. YOU GUYS WERE REAL EAGER LAST TIME, WITH YOUR "OMG"s AND YOUR "WTF"s AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE "asdfghjkl"s. HAHA, IT WAS GREAT.

QUESTIONS!!:
-What characteristic about yourself do you take a lot of pride in? (I'm amazed that I can create a natural eye-liner by pulling fUCKIN ALL-NIGHTERZ.)
-Is it white and gold?? (You see what I did. You sEE WHAT I DID. I CAN'T EVEN DO QUESTIONS RIGHT ANYMORE. AND APPARENTLY I CAN'T GRAMMAR EITHER. NEITHER? WHICH ONE IS IT? I DON'T KNOW. I'M TIRED. I love you guys.)

VIDEO IN THE MULTIMEDIA IS: She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5 (Tiffany Alvord & Boyce Avenue Acoustic Cover), AND PHOTO DOES NOT BELONG TO ME. ENJOY THE CHAPTER!*

Stay Creepy, My Friends!~

Chapter 29

It was unbearably quiet in the motel room. Jeff hadn't spoken a word ever since we left the club. Ben was just as silent. I begged for one of them to start explaining what was going on. Though, judging by their moods, I knew it'd be a while before I would get anything from them. What's worse is...Sam isn't talking to me. After the incident at the club, he never spoke a word to me. I still feel his presence in my head but he isn't saying anything. I think he's upset because of his breakdown. I've never, ever seen him do anything like that, and with his silence, it only adds more to a boiling pot of concern. I need his voice. I feel like I'm going to freak out at any moment. I'm not used to such silence.

So, Jeff, Ben and I sat in the muteness, while there was an unconscious Elizabeth Umber lying down on one of the motel beds. Everything about this whole situation confused me. Jeff said she was dead. If I'm not mistaken, she looked pretty alive earlier. And what happened to her? How does she have such an advanced metal prosthesis and an eye of strange colors? Also...if she's Jeff's lover then why did she attack us? There's so many questions that I want answered but I think I'd probably just be even more confused.

I was already changed out of the clubbing get-up and I was back into my own clothes. Ben fixed Jeff and me up with a medical kit he "borrowed" but there was no fixing the big bruise on my stomach. It was still sore from Elizabeth's super punch and I estimated that it would last for a good three weeks. Maybe more. Maybe until next month..

I fiddled with the zipper of my jacket since it was the only thing that was keeping me from walking out of the room. Ben was messing with his ears and it seemed like an "I'm nervous" habit. Jeff...well...he looked exhausted. Not just physically but mentally as well. It's not everyday you see your deceased girlfriend...

I looked over at Elizabeth and sighed. She was out cold. Sam did a number on her. I still haven't gotten the time to explain him to Ben and Jeff but I know the subject won't be dropped. Now that Elizabeth is like this, I can study her features more. My focus was more on the metal arm but I did observe her face and such. She's very pretty. I can see why Jeff was so in love with her. During my observation, I noticed she had a mark on her real arm. There was the proxy symbol branded on the underside of her wrist. The same distinct shade of scarlet, too. I looked back down at my hands and clenched them, remembering how the proxy symbol appeared all over my skin. A part of me wishes that what happened was normal but I still felt like it wasn't. While I stared at my hands, I remembered something Jeff told me. There's only supposed to be one proxy. What does this make me? What does this make Elizabeth? Is she the proxy or am I the proxy? I need this whole mess to be settled.

"I'm going outside for a bit..," Jeff whispered and suddenly left the room. He closed the door with a slam. Ben and I stared at the door for a bit, shared glances and then went back to staring at the floor. I bit my lip. "Someone needs to talk to him..," I mumbled softly. Ben huffed and said, "...Screw that."

I shot him a look. "Come on, Ben," I said, "he's obviously upset..! I can't talk to him because I don't know him that well! I'd probably upset him even further."

"And you think I could do better?" Ben responded bitterly. "I haven't seen that guy in over two years, Ao. I can't talk to him. I'd be the one pissing him off!"

"You're his best friend," I stated, "of course you can talk to him."

"Well...you're a girl," Ben said, "girls can handle these situations better! People open up to them more!"

"People open up to who they know and trust," I corrected, "I'm pretty damn sure that Jeff doesn't trust me yet. Especially not after what happened..." I trailed off.

"What was that, anyway," Ben asked me.

I looked away. "It's hard to explain," I murmured.

"A lot of things are hard to explain, especially with this kind of life," he told me, "So...shoot."

I gulped and pursed my lips. I'd prefer it if Jeff were here too, that way I don't have to explain to them separately. Though, I have a feeling Jeff will be outside for a while and his mood probably will elongate his time. I went for it. "Ever since I was a little kid...I had a friend," I started, "...and no one could see him..." I explained everything to Ben; how Sam and I can talk to each other, how he can move things, how he's helped me and protected me. Not once did Sam say anything about it.

"So...," Ben whispered, after I was finished, "...you're not so normal after all."

"No, I'm not," I said.

"Can he hear us right now?" He asked.

I nodded. "He hasn't said a thing since we left the club though.."

"Can't blame him," Ben remarked, "things were pretty ballistic."

A pillow hit Ben and went falling into his lap. The blonde was stumped. I sighed. "He's upset right now so I advise you not to refer to his breakdown," I warned him, "He got scared and angry and he lost control."

"Judging by the mess at the club, I could tell," Ben muttered. Another pillow flew and hit his face again. "Damn, I'm sorry you disembodied bastard," Ben grumbled under his breath and threw the pillow onto the floor. I shook my head and stared at the floor. "I hope this doesn't make things awkward between us," I said.

"I'm used to a lot of crazy shit," he laughed, "so I'm pretty sure I can handle this news. I'm fine with you having a little buddy around. Just wish you would've told us sooner."

"I didn't want to freak you out," I answered.

"I'm already freaked out as it is," Ben chuckled, "and like I said, I've experienced a lot of weird shit. You can name the weirdest, most supernatural thing and I can describe something about it."

I stared at him and he looked expecting. "Oh you're serious," I asked. He nodded. I thought for a few moments. "Uh...demons?"

"Seen 'em, met 'em, dated 'em, I do not recommend at all," Ben answered. "They also hold major grudges, so it's better not to be an ex."

"How about urban legends?"

"Bloody Mary makes the best cookies," Ben chuckled.

"Poltergeists?"

"You see this," he gestured to himself, "I can't possess clown dolls and open a portal in a little girl's closet but I sure as hell can scare the crap out of people."

I stifled a laugh. It sounded so foreign after all of the silence and tension. Ben laughed too and then our laughter slowly died down. Silence again. I breathed. "What's going to happen now," I asked quietly.

Ben shrugged and brushed a hand through his hair. "I don't know. Things are definitely gonna change, that's for sure," he responded and eyed Elizabeth briefly. I looked at the unconscious girl. My eyes darted down to the proxy symbol on her wrist. I furrowed my brow and got up from my spot on the other motel bed. I crouched down beside Elizabeth's sleeping figure and reached for her hand. "What the hell do you think you're doing," Ben whisper yelled. "If Jeff comes back and sees you touching her, he's gonna flip!"

"I'll only be a second," I said and gently grabbed her hand. I turned her arm over so I could see the mark better and stared. I let go of her hand and lifted my index finger to touch her mark. I barely grazed it when I felt a hot flash and my vision faded out.

Next thing I knew, I was on a table. My vision was hazy and I could only see out of one eye. Something felt off. There was a strange scent in the room. Chemicals.

I blacked out again and when I came to, I was still on the table but there were hands next to my body. Was it my body? No...isn't this Elizabeth's? These hands were holding onto my right arm, what is a stump... Incoherent speech echoed around me. What was being said?

I blacked out again and came to see wild, thrashing vision. My body jerked around, writhing like a dying insect. There was a loud, shrilled screaming, one of agony. I looked down at my right arm to see the same hands from earlier and I was horrified to see one of them had a hacksaw. They were cutting more off. Blood was sputtering everywhere, staining my clothes, staining the hands that were bringing me pain.

Again, I blacked out. When my vision came back, the first thing I saw were my kicking legs. I could feel my left hand claw into the metal table I was lying on. I looked over to see the other pair of hands again. They were cauterizing my freshly cut arm. The smell of burning flesh and blood was disgustingly pungent. I felt myself gag. Then I screamed again.

I blacked out again and I begged for this to stop. When I could see again, I looked over to see the hands implanting a metal prosthesis...

I backed away from Elizabeth and fell across the other motel bed. My breathing was heavy and erratic and I clutched at the blankets under me. I didn't have to think hard about what I saw. I saw what Elizabeth saw, sensed what she sensed. Now I know how she got the metal arm and, unfortunately, in clear detail. I was disturbed beyond comprehension. What disturbed me the most was the image of those hands grabbing me and cutting me and burning me. No, not me, Elizabeth. Why did I see that? There's so much more that could've been discovered so why that?! Whose hands had tampered with Elizabeth's body?

I looked at Elizabeth to find her still unconscious. Her face was peaceful. I couldn't imagine it being contorted from pain and screaming. I turned my gaze away from her and looked at Ben, who bore an expression of concern. "Are you okay," he asked me. I nodded and tried to stabilize my breathing. As if I wasn't already freaking out, Jeff decided to come back. As soon as he walked in, he gave me a worried look and asked, "Did something happen..?"

"Y-Yes," I stammered, still shaken by Elizabeth's experience.

Jeff turned to Ben. "What did you do?"

"Oh, that's real nice," Ben muttered, "Blame me for whatever freaks her out."

"There's no one else here and Ellie's unconscious," Jeff responded, folding his arms over his chest.

"I didn't do anything to her," Ben admitted, "and I don't know what happened either. Though, I'm sure Sheba can explain." Both boys turned to me and I gulped. I didn't want to tell them what I saw. Especially not Jeff. I can't tell him how his girlfriend was in pain, how those hands violated her and changed her. But I can't leave them in the dark. I already screwed up by not telling them about Sam. I haven't even explained the proxy marks that have appeared on my skin. I can't keep hiding things anymore. No more secrets, Blue.

I explained what I saw and I tried to keep it less grotesque than it was, for Jeff's sake. Even with this effort, he seemed greatly unnerved. When I was done talking, and the room was quiet once again, Jeff muttered under his breath, "When I find that bastard, I'll make sure he loses those fucking hands.." I felt terrible but I knew telling him was the right thing to do.

I looked at Ben and I saw a knowing look in his eyes. He gestured towards Jeff with a curt nod and I knew he was silently telling me to explain Sam. I sighed and said, "Jeff, there's more that I have to say.."

Fifteen minutes went by as I had told him about Sam and I also included a rundown of the proxy symbols on my body. I have never felt a greater tension in one room, ever.

"So...is Sheba the proxy or..?" Ben was having a hard time figuring things out. If I can't understand it, then he can't either. I tried getting him to stop thinking over it but he wouldn't let up. Jeff was really quiet after I was done talking, and I was hoping he would say a few things too. But, I left him alone.

"Well, now I know what we have to do," Jeff suddenly said. Ben and I looked up at him, awaiting his next words. The 'smiling' man looked over at his sleeping beauty and sternly said, "We're finding the people who took Ellie away."

...

The night air was cold against my skin. Jeff and I were on the road, traveling by his motorcycle. He was taking me back home, after a very long weekend. Ben was left to take care of Elizabeth and figure out a place to keep her safe.

The drive was going to be a long one even though Jeff said he'd up the speed. My mind was jumbled with thoughts and mixed emotions. I've seen a lot that I probably shouldn't have bore witness to. If anyone asked me what was the most disturbing part overall, I wouldn't be able to give an answer. Only because I don't want to think over the things I saw to decide.

I'm looking forward to coming back home, seeing the town I grew up with, entering my homey estate and seeing my parents again. Then, tomorrow, Monday, I'll see Craig and Kayla and Xavier again. Oh, I need their company more than I need therapy. And, I tried not to think about it, but I also want to see Jack again. I don't know if he's back from his trip yet, but if he is, I hope he swings by to say hello after so long. I don't know where he lives and if I did, I'd probably stop by and see him. Though, I think it's for the best that I don't know where he lives. I don't think I'd let him have privacy...

All in all, I would just like to go home. I'm exhausted and I've been having the sneaking sensations of an upcoming headache. I want to sleep but that's not the best thing to do when you're on a motorcycle, still without a helmet. I just can't wait to rest and maybe forget about this weekend. That's too much to ask for, though.

...

After a quicker five hours, we made it back to my home town and I couldn't be any more relieved. Jeff stopped by a gas station to fill up his bike's tank and I took this time to text my mother and and father, telling them that I'll be home in twenty minutes. They responded after a few moments, which made me happy to see. I bought myself a snack from the convenient store and I gorged on it. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until my snack was gone in under a minute.

After a ten minute break, Jeff and I got back on his bike and we drove towards the direction of my estate. When we were close, Jeff slowed his bike to a casual cruise. I could see my home from out distance and I sighed with relief. "Thank you for all of your help," Jeff suddenly told me.

"I-I did nothing, really," I murmured.

"You did help," he said, "whether you believe it or not."

"I feel like I just caused trouble though," I admitted, "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," he said, "just...make sure to tell us something next time. You don't have to hide anything from us."

"Okay," I mumbled. I felt a little better hearing that.

The air got cooler and I shivered from time to time. We got closer to my house and as we did, I started to notice something. There's someone waiting by the gate. My eyes widened.

"Jack!!" I exclaimed happily, startling Jeff slightly. I could recognize that blue mask anywhere! He's back!

Jeff pulled up by the curb and I jumped off of the bike. I couldn't contain my smile. Thank goodness he's back! I was about to tell him something when I noticed his tense vibe. Something's wrong.

Jeff got off of his bike and removed his helmet. "Hey," he greeted the masked man. Jack said nothing to him. My smile faded and turned into a frown of concern. "Jack, are you okay," I asked him cautiously. He didn't respond again. What's wrong? He turned towards Jeff and held out his hand. "It's been a while," he said sharply. Jeff seemed taken aback by his tone but he clasped Jack's hand anyway. Suddenly, the masked man grabbed Jeff by his shirt collar and shoved him up against the cement part of the gate. I gasped and took a step forward to pull Jack away. "Jack, what are you-?"

"Stay out of this!!!" He snapped at me. His tone of voice had me shivering and reeling back with panic. He's never raised his voice like that. Why now?

He turned back towards Jeff and growled, "What the hell were you thinking?! Didn't I say for you not to drag her into your crap?! You damn idiot!!"

"Don't get pissy with me," Jeff growled back, "I didn't drag her into anything! I gave her a choice! She wanted to come along."

"And you just decided to take a fifteen-year-old girl out of town because she gave the okay?!" Jack snapped.

"Um," I started, "guys-?"

"There's nothing wrong with that," Jeff said.

Jack huffed. "Everything is wrong with that!!"

"Guys?" I tried again.

"It's not like we eloped," Jeff grumbled, "Now that's wrong."

"Shut the fuck up," Jack shouted and shoved Jeff further up the cement wall. "What happened? Did she get hurt?"

Jeff was quiet for a moment. Hesitance. I could feel Jack's anger rise and he suddenly punched Jeff in the gut. The 'smiling' man coughed and growled from the hit. I shook my head and said, "Jack, quit it!! Jeff did nothing wro-!"

"I told you to stay out of this!!!" Jack snapped at me again. My face was growing hot with anger. I've had just about enough..!

I shoved Jack away from Jeff and stood in between the two. I glared at Jack and snapped too, "I said stop it already!! Jeff did nothing wrong! I decided to go on the trip. Jeff didn't threaten me to go!!" I stormed up to the masked man and watched as he took a couple of steps back. "And don't you ever yell at me like that again!! You don't speak for me, I do!!! Do you understand that?!? If you ever snap at me again, I'm going to make you wish you shut your damn mouth in the first place!!!" I didn't want to snap like this, it's rare, but I won't have Jack talk to me or Jeff in such a hostile manner. I'm gone for a weekend and this is what I come back to?

Jeff laughed at Jack and I turned around to face him. "You don't get to laugh," I scolded, "you don't speak for me either. I know you didn't mean to, but don't." Jeff nodded and looked down, looking like a little kid who got in trouble. I turned back to face Jack. "I only gained a few scratches and bruises," I told him, "but I'll be fine. Jeff sustained more injuries than I did so I'd advise you not to handle him so roughly. You shouldn't agitate his wounds. As for me, don't stress me out. Got that?"

"Yes," Jack growled under his breath. I eyed him for a few moments before backing away from both men. I crossed my arms over my chest and said, "Now, I think it's best that both of you leave."

"What?" Jack muttered.

"Got it," Jeff responded, complying with my demand. Jeff pushed himself away from the wall and walked back to his bike. Before he put on the helmet though, Jeff turned and tapped Jack on the shoulder, saying, "Hey, let me tell you something important."

"What is it-?"

Jeff interrupted Jack with a punch to his gut. The masked man staggered and leaned against the wall. I frowned and briefly scolded Jeff. The man didn't pay any mind to me and glowered down at Jack, who was trying to get his bearings. "That's for making her wait, jackass," Jeff growled and then strolled back towards his motorcycle. He popped the helmet on his head and told me, "Have a good night, Blue."

"Take care, Jeff," I answered back and soon he was off on his way with a simple turn of the engine. I waited until he was a faint dot in the distance until I turned back to face Jack. He recovered quickly from Jeff's sudden punch and grumbled under his breath. I stared him down for a while until he decided to acknowledge me. "Ao...I-."

"Goodnight Jack," I cut him off, ending our meet. I walked away and towards the gate, opening it up by the number padlock and strolling inside. When I turned back, Jack was locked out. He didn't say anything. I pursed my lips, turned back around and kept going. I made it towards my front door and unlocked it with my spare house key my parents let me have. I walked inside and the familiar scent of home came rushing to me like a gentle, relaxing breeze. Home sweet home at last.

"Okaasan," I called out, "ChiChi! I'm home! Tadaima!" No one responded. I furrowed my brow and walked out of the foyer and towards the downstairs hallway. I checked the first couple of rooms and they weren't there. Then, I came upon my father's study and walked in to see both of my parents...sleeping soundly. My father was dozing off on his desk, piles of paperwork on either side of him. On the couch, my mother lay, a book on her lap. She still had her reading glasses on. I released a quiet giggle and walked out of the room. I visited the hallway closet for a moment to retrieve a couple of blankets, then I made my way back. With ginger hands, I placed blankets on my parents. For my mother, I gently removed her reading glasses so they wouldn't go crooked and I made sure to save her page before putting the book aside. My father stirred for a moment, giving out a loud and sudden snore, before making himself comfortable again. I smiled. Must've been a busy day for the both of them.

I stood under the doorway as I stared at the both of them for a few moments. "Oyasumi," I whispered goodnight, before turning off the light and closing the door quietly. Now, time for my turn at sleep.

I made my way up the stairs to get to my bedroom. When I made it there, I discovered that everything was as it was before I left. "Doesn't it feel nice to be back home?" I asked aloud. Sam didn't say anything to that. I sighed and added glumly, "Glad you agree.." I set my duffle bag down and nearly ripped off my clothes to change into a new set of pajamas. Oh, they were so comfy...!

I threw myself onto my bed and sunk nicely into my pillows and blanket. I never realized just how incredibly soft and plush my bed was. After sleeping on that cursed motel bed, I now have a newfound appreciation for my own.

There was a sudden tap at my window. I sat up on my bed and looked at the glass. Nothing was there. I stared for a few more moments and caught something small hitting my window. A pebble, maybe? Gee, I wonder who could be throwing them.

"This better not turn into a sappy nineties scene," I moaned tiredly and got off of my bed to stand by my window. I looked down and sure enough Jack was there, with a handful of pebbles in his gloved hand. He was mid-way into throwing another pebble when I opened my window and poked my head out. "What are you doing," I asked him.

"Throwing pebbles to get your attention," he answered. At least he didn't make any excuse.

"What are you doing in my yard? You're supposed to be locked out," I told him, matter-of-factly.

"I don't suppose you recall my explanation on how I hacked your gate system and managed to slip in," Jack reminded, also matter-of-factly.

I sighed and frowned down at him. "What do you want Jack? It's late. You should go home. And I already told you to leave."

"I want to talk," he replied.

"We've talked quite enough for tonight," I said.

"Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that," he said anyway.

"Yell at me once, shame on you," I said, "yell at me twice and you're on the chopping block."

"I screwed up," he sighed.

"You surpassed a friggin' screw driver," I commented.

"Can I please come up?" he asked.

I eyed him some more. I don't really want him to be around me, though, at the same time, I do. It's been awhile since I last saw him. I still want to hang out with him but I have my priorities.

"No," I stated bluntly.

Jack was silent for a few moments. Then he said, "Then I'll wait out here."

"If you keep up that attitude, you'll be bones," I remarked.

"It's worth it," he said. A sudden blush rushed over my face and I clenched my jaw. I watched as Jack firmly seated himself on the ground underneath my window, waiting. I huffed and shut the window. He's insane.. He probably won't even wait.

Just to prove this, I waited a good thirty minutes. When I checked my window, Jack was still there. He'll give up eventually..!

I waited another thirty minutes and yet I still found Jack waiting. At this rate, he'll catch a cold out there. Frustration slithered and clawed at my temples and I held back an urge to scream. It was no use.

I rushed up to my window, opened it up and hollered down to Jack. "Come inside already, you big goofball!!"

I have never seen Jack get up and run so quickly.

I sighed and bore a face of slight annoyance as I made my way down the stairs to answer the front door. I opened it up and Jack was there, waiting. "I'm not bones," he stated. I gave him a look and grumbled, "Just get in." I stepped aside so he could enter and then I closed the door.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

I crossed my arms over my chest and said, "Start saying what you wanted to say."

He let out a sigh and got to it. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to behave that way. I was frustrated and angered by the fact that Jeff took you out of town for his mission, when I established that he shouldn't have."

"It's not up to you to establish anything around here," I stated, "I establish what is best for me and you have to respect that. Out there, you showed me the complete opposite."

"But-."

"I'm not just some girl who is too immature to make her own decisions," I added, "Just because you had to save me from bad people, and act tough, doesn't make you in charge of me or what happens in this house or to me. In fact, all of that is entirely up to my parents. This is their house and I am their child. You're lucky to be standing where you are now, because I could easily walk right up to them and tell them all about you. They would have you hunted down before you could start running. So, the next time you decide you want to yell at me or establish anything, think twice. No matter how you see it, I'll always be the one in charge."

He was quiet, just absolutely quiet and I could sense his uncomfortableness. After a few moments of tense silence, Jack scoffed and murmured, "I understand. I'll be more respectful.."

"Thank you," I said.

"I, uh...," he started, "I was worried. I didn't want anything bad to happen to you and I didn't want you to get involved with terrible things."

"Jack...I'm neck deep," I said softly. His shoulders tensed. He inhaled a breath and said, "Why did you want to leave?"

I pursed my lips. "I wanted to help and get answers," I confessed, "why did you leave?"

Jack shook his head slowly. "I can't tell you," he whispered. I dropped my arms and clenched my hands.

"Why not?" I asked, my voice becoming unsteady.

"I don't want you to know," he answered.

In the silence, I stifled a wry laugh. "And you say you were worried for me," I muttered, looking away.

Jack lifted his head and said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means," I replied, frowning down at the floor. Jack didn't respond with anything and so I continued. "You left for a whole two weeks," I started, "It almost would've been three, if you hadn't showed up tonight. I...I worried for you, day after day, night after night. I tried my hardest to ignore it, but it pained me not to acknowledge my concern. I thought you left town, or you got hurt, or you died, or you just didn't want to come back. The last time I saw you, we were under the gazebo, and that moment happened. I thought...," -my voice began to crack, I steadied myself as much as I could-, "I thought I drove you away. I felt that I screwed up for what I did. I felt terrible. I even promised myself that I would apologize to you multiple times as soon as I ever saw you again. When Jeff came over, I asked him where you were, and he said he didn't know. With him being your best friend and him not knowing, my worry grew stronger. 'Point is...I was scared and unhealthily concerned." My sad tone wore off to make way for an irritable ring to my voice. "But, you didn't have to worry, did you? You thought I'd be in the same place. That nothing bad would happen to me, right? As long as I'm here, you don't have to worry? Where did all of that go when you discovered I wasn't here? Did you feel that sense of panic and anxiety and desperation? That sense of not knowing what could've happened to me? I felt like that for two weeks..! How long did this feeling last for you? I was gone for one weekend. And you go and start yelling at me and punching Jeff and acting like a complete maniac? Do you realize how unfair that is? I wouldn't yell at you. I wouldn't start punching people and throwing curses. But you have the guts to do that after one weekend? That's also why I was so enraged by your behavior. I was so eager to see you again, only to have you snap at me! I didn't want to get after you either, that's not how I am, but you had left me no choice. I'm honestly disappointed and...I didn't want to feel this way towards you." I paused, took in a shaky breath. "Whatever you did...I hope you had fun.."

My eyes burned from holding back tears of frustration. I couldn't handle the situation anymore and so I started walking off towards the stairs, with my head hanging low. Despite that I scolded Jack, I felt defeated. I had hoped we wouldn't argue. The last time nearly tore me apart. I hate feeling so unhappy and deflated.

I was half-way up the stairs when Jack called out to me in a soft voice. "Ao," he said, "I...still care about you.."

I clenched my jaw and shut my eyes, making tears slip out and stain my cheeks. I turned my head and looked down at him. "You have a funny way of showing it," I whimpered, my tears effecting my tone of voice. I sniffled and tried to keep myself from sobbing but it was hard. I started taking the rest of the stairs and I made it onto the second floor. With my hands clenched at my sides, I shuffled my way back to my room. I felt horrible. I wish Sam wasn't being so quiet..

I was about to place my hand on the handle of my door when I heard rushing footsteps. I took a glance at the stairs and sat Jack emerge. I wiped away a few tears and was getting ready to ask him why he was in such a hurry when he came running at me. I panicked a little but he had already caught me by my waist and pulled me towards the hallway bathroom. I was mumbling incoherent, confused gibberish along the way. What is he doing?!

He took us inside of the bathroom, shut the door and didn't bother to turn on the lights. The last thing I could slightly see was his hand coming up to his mask. I stammered, "What the hell do you think you're-?!"

Something came crashing against my lips, enveloping my mouth in a warm, plush embrace. It stayed there, lingering with a strength that almost seemed fervid. It was a short while before I realized what it was. I lifted my hands up and found Jack's shoulders. I pressed my hands into them for a moment before placing them on his head and letting my fingers dig into his hair. My body grew warm and my head felt like it was spinning. The tears that I was crying before were disappearing as the moment went on. I pulled Jack further against me and pushed against his lips. They were still for a moment, before beginning to brush mine softly. Then, this soft brushing gradually grew into a hungry, lascivious dance and I could hardly keep up. It was embarrassing but I let out a small mewl that made Jack put more energy into the kiss. My knees began to shake. I felt exhilarated.

Jack took it up a notch and I felt him lick my bottom lip. I whimpered and Jack fit his mouth onto mine as it opened. I felt him invade my mouth, brushing into the farthest corners. My face felt like it was on fire and I thought my heart would pop out of my chest from its rapid beating. Jack delved for a while, making me moan into his mouth. He suddenly stopped and I sucked in a deep breath. Then, something sharp poked my bottom lip and I groaned. Something slid down my lip and grazed my skin but then Jack licked it up and began sucking on the spot he bit. Titillation coursed through my body and the heat of the moment was almost too much. Jack breathed a soft groan against my skin and I couldn't help but relish over how wonderful it was to my ears.

Jack stopped and I felt him lean his head against mine. He was breathing rather heavily and I found myself doing the same. I gulped and tried to manage my breathing. My blood was still pumping and my lips still tingled with tantalizing heat. Once the both of us calmed down, Jack whispered into my ear, "If I have a funny way of showing my care, then I hope that was hilarious." I shivered and blushed harder. I trembled for a moment.

"I'm still mad at you," I whispered back.

"Understandable," he remarked.

"You're officially a jerk, you know that," I said.

"I will bear that with pride," Jack commented.

I sighed and gave him a look through the dark. "I wonder why I even bother with you," I said, cupping his face into my hands.

"I ask the same thing to myself every time I'm around you," he said. I smiled and stifled a soft laugh. Then, I quickly pushed him away from me and said, "Just because this happened, doesn't mean you can appease me with kissing."

Jack huffed. "What if I were to offer more than kissing," he inquired and I instantly became the strawberry-cherry-tomato hybrid again.

"N-No," I stammered, "stop it! No! I won't- you can't- psssh, pffft, psssh!"

"I was going to offer food but I guess you don't want any," Jack said and I froze. He sighed. "You teenage girls and your wild fantasies.."

"Shut up," I whined, "you can't fool me like that! That's not cool! I wouldn't- there's no way I would even- pssh, pfft, psssh- I'm going to bed! Goodnight!!"

I swiveled around on my heel, threw the bathroom door open and scurried on out. I rushed into my bedroom, closed the door and leaned against it. Everything that just happened started flooding to me and soon I was a whining mess, rolling around on the floor, questioning life.

There was a soft rapping at my door. I stopped mid-rolling and stared at it. I got up and opened the door to see Jack. He had his mask back on and his demeanor was cool, like nothing remotely intimate happened at all. How can be so cool?! Jesus..!

"I'm leaving," he stated.

I stared and said, "Already?"

"Yes," he said, "did you want me to stay?"

"Well, n-not exactly, but..."

There was a pause of silence. "I won't run off again," he told me and I pursed my lips at his response.

"It's not that," I said, "it's just that... I...I..." Jack waited but I couldn't finish my sentence. "N-Nothing, never mind," I decided.

Jack nodded and then said, "Goodnight, Ao."

"Goodnight," I said and gave him a smile. He walked away towards the stairs and I stayed by my doorway, staring at the spot he was standing in just a moment ago. I clenched my hands and bit my lip, agitating the spot Jack bit and made bleed. I hurried out of the room and went after the masked man. He was just barely finishing the stairs when I came up from behind him, grabbed his sleeve and pulled myself to him. I wrapped my arms around his body and dug my face into his chest. Jack seemed taken off guard and then he slowly began to relax. He placed his hands on my back. He did something different and stroked his fingers through my hair, sending tingles through my scalp. I squeezed him tighter and murmured, "I missed you."

Jack stopped his hand for a moment and then gripped my hair softly. He leaned a little and I felt his head on top of mine. In a soft, soothing voice, he said, "...I missed you too." Happiness gushed in my heart from hearing that. Jack and I stood there for a while, holding each other. He was a little more tense about it than I was but it still made me happy to see him like this. This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I thought about meeting him again. I never meant for a fight, I never meant for so many heavy emotions, but I don't regret it. I think I'll cherish this all one day. Or not. I don't know. Things can change and they can be unexpected. I learned that a lot of unexpected things can happen. And the outcomes they create, are just as sudden and confusing. I don't know if I'll be able to handle all of this: The proxy ordeal, Elizabeth's return, Corrupted, Sam's silence, Jack. But, I always end up figuring things out, don't I? Yeah, I always do.

I'll be okay.