The thought of a sweet-sounding girl who turned out to be the baddest bitch in the Zones reminded me of my love and how we met, just a month and a half after my family died.

It was a blazing hot morning in the Zones. My jacket was tied round my waist and my faded purple hair was soaked with sweat. I ran my hand through the short strands, messing it up and getting my skin soaked, but I didn't care. I'd had worse days.

My bike was parked out the front of the building while I was sat inside. I was in the Diner, staying in there to eat the shit that I could afford: a can of Power Pup. The Fabulous Four were away, not that it made much difference. We rarely spoke. Not because we hated each other, it's just the way it was. They are pretty cool, though. Party and Fun are really cute together, and so are Jet and Kobra.

I heard the door open, and someone step in. It's not unusual for that to happen, during the hotter days it's a hot-spot for boiling killjoys.

Turning my head up, I saw a red-faced killjoy with a mask in her hand. Hair messy and wet, a backpack slung over her shoulder, probably filled with supplies. She had black, denim short-shorts covering her upper-legs, and a light-yellow crop-top on her upper half. On top of her head lay a pair of sunglasses, probably taken off so she could see, revealing the most amazing eyes I'd ever seen. One red in the irises, and the other completely white, meaning she was probably blind in at least that eye. She was beautiful.

I stared at her, as if I'd never seen another human before. Of course I had, but none like this girl; this girl was special. Even as I stared at her state of death, as I'd call it, I knew I was attracted to the girl in front of me. I'm gay as hell (well, bisexual, but with a huge preference for girls) and this girl just set it off.

I was so awestruck by the girl across from me that "Hey" was all I could manage out of my mouth. My voice lost all the confidence that had been sewed into the edges and centre. Usually, I was a strong killjoy, no fear and no pain shown, but this bitch had the audacity to take my breath away. I never really talked to anyone, either, but I just fucking had to talk to her.

She looked at me quickly after I spoke, probably not realising my quiet presence. My Power Pup sat forgotten in front of me and my pixie-cut hair fell shaggy in front of my eyes.

The girl smiled and walked to me. For a few seconds she stood in front of the diner's table, seemingly waiting. I realised she was wondering whether she should sit or not, so I gestured for her to seat herself on the chair opposite me, and she happily obliged.

I took in her appearance fully this time. She had a body that wasn't the slimmest, but I didn't give a fuck. Her face was the slightest bit round, and she had the cutest dimples. The dazzling smile on her face made the world feel like it had stopped around us; it made her eye sparkle, the kind of smile that you know is true.

"Hey." I said again, the only word I could let fall from my lips, spoken in my, slightly, deep voice. I didn't know what to say either way, as I didn't meet new people often (especially ones that looked this beautiful).

"Hi." The mysterious woman said. Her voice was soothing but hardened, still with a feminine tone weaved through. It was unique but familiar, a feeling of home kneaded in and seeping out.

"I'm-" I hesitated with my name and her smile faltered. I don't know her! She could be a spy for all I know! I looked up at her and held my gaze, before thinking 'What the hell' and finishing, "I'm Blackout Crypt."

She showed her beautiful smile again. "I'm Midnight Marauder."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." I whispered.

"Girl, you think I'm beautiful? You're fucking gorgeous."

I froze at 'girl'.

'Fuck,' I thought, 'I'm gonna have to tell her.'

She must have noticed my tensed state as she asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm...I'm not a girl..." I looked down at my lap and got a bit uncomfortable. I didn't know how she would react; I don't know how anyone will. I was punched once when I told a guy, back when I lived in Nashville. What a transphobic dickhead.

"Cool. What pronouns do you use?"

My head shot up. I'd never known anyone to be so chill about it. They're usually confused, or just assume that I'm a guy after that, which is really annoying. Having someone ask for my pronouns is fucking perfect.

"They and them. I'm non-binary."

We carried on our conversation and learnt about each other. Her family had gone missing a few days earlier, so she had been driving her Chopper around and sleeping in the tents until she found the diner. I asked her if she was staying in the motel, and she said yes, making me happy (obviously it would) because I'd be able to see that stunning face again.

That concludes how we first met. Two young killjoys, roaming the zones.

Soon into our endeavours, the two of us found more killjoys, with whom we formed a team. It was more of a family to us, though. We called ourselves 'The Twilight Flames', and we kicked ass out there, until one fateful day.

The Dracs and S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/Ws wouldn't stop coming, and by the time we had killed the last one, the other six of us were ghosted. I knew we should've retreated, but Disco Dreamer insisted we should get all of them.

And even though they're dead and gone, believe me, their memories will carry on.