"......Wait. Really?" Gano was taken aback "Just like that!?" "Well,  what else are we supposed to do? You just kind of saved our lives." Tess shrugged her shoulders "I don't trust you-" she raised an eyebrow in suspicion "but obviously Douglas does so-it's whatever." she gave her a childhood friend a pointed look "Still......" Gano rubbed his neck to calm his nerves  " Shouldn't you guys be freaking out a lot more?"  Tess chuckled in retort "Douglas has desensitized me to the impossibility of the impossible. You keep yapping about ghosts, aliens, time travel, and crap eventually you'll convince someone I guess." Tess  replied with a shrug  she tilted her head to the side to get a better look "That's not the natural color of your hair is it?" she made a face and couldn't seem to make heads or tails of what she was looking at  "What's that mean!?" Gano exclaimed with an incredulous look "Nothing." Tess drew back "It's just so....green." 

"Well yeah!" Gano huffed in defiance "Emeralds are green too...and they're luxurious!" "Dougie you got me back! The green is dope." Gano held up one of his locks as Douglas sighed "I told you to stop calling me that" as Gano continued on "It's not dope?"  "You just stopped a bullet mid-air.....I hate to break it you, but nothing'll be cooler than that." he noted  "Don't think you're going to wiggle out of explaining that later." Tess gave him a cross distrusting look, but before the conversation could continue sires were heard in the distance and drawing close.

"Not the brightest mind here, but I'm pretty sure that's our cue to get the hell up out here and go."" Brook said  anxious and a bit worried  "We can do the whole sad backstory meet and greet later. We just got this guy-" he gestured at Douglas "-out of cuffs! I've been in cuffs before..I have no intention of going back in. Let's Go! " "You know" Douglas let out a sigh  " Meat head's right. We gotta jet."  "When conspiracy meets common sense, we should come together like this a lot more " Brook gave him a wink  "Stop flirting you two" Tess interjected quickly as they made their exit "I'm telling you right now green, if this starts becoming a thing...I'm going to do something very bad!" "Really?" Gano look unimpressed "Now that's what I call an ineffectual threat."

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!" the man cursed as he made his escape ducking in and out of  the the  city's alleyways. He could feel the heat on his neck as fear crawled down his skin  "I knew this  was gonna happen!! They warned me that she was gonna pull something like this!!"  He almost cried as his  breathes became labored, and the thud of his footsteps increased  "I've got too much to live for; It won't end like this!!"" his eyes opened wide as he ground to a halt, almost tripping over his two feet " Aw Damn! I'm going in circles!!" "Shouldn't you be used that by now?" a feminine voice tickled his neck as he jumped in fear.  Terrified, petrified, and unable to move, his heartbeat started to skip 

"Now tell me-" her warm hands cupped his face and squished his cheeks together as his blood ran cold  "-how can someone like you who's repeatedly taken the life of others-" her voice was sultry and smooth, but instead of bringing a sense of comfort and taking him to a place of peace-it only filled him with a sense of dread "-be afraid to die" the woman's voice echoed as  right became left, up became down, and everything become a collage of colors and shapes that didn't belong"I want to lie, and say this going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you, but.." The days of his youth and all the people he was about to leave behind flashed before his eyes "...would it really make a difference?" she continued to question not really expecting an answer "A thin line of separation divides this world and the next" Everything went pitch black and he wondered to himself if  even a witch cruel and merciless was kind enough to grant him saving grace "That's true I suppose." he smiled "Once people lose the will to live, perhaps the soul parts long before flesh accepts. Maybe that's why the elderly die from heartbreak so often at their age. Perhaps what the mind tries to fool the body into is something it'll no longer allow?" "Tell me, right here, right now, in this moment..." the woman had appeared right behind in that world of pitch black and could feel the steel pressed against the back of his neck "Do you still have the will to live?" Pulling out a can of gasoline from the garbage can nearby, she made sure to douse his body completely before pulling out a lighter and setting it ablaze "Rus in verde. I'll see you in hell." 

"Woah Tess. Are you okay?" Douglas was taken aback as Tess pulled him into a crushing hug as they got settled in her and Brook's apartment "No you jerk! How could it be!" her body started shaking uncontrollably as the tears fell "We were really worried man." Brook placed a hand on Douglas' shoulder "Ya people were really worried too. You should get in contact with them when you can." "Promise me!" Tess pulled away from as her blue eyes stared into his hazel "Promise me you'll never do something like that again!!" Douglas bit his lip and felt a tightening in his chest "I...I'm sorry...I can't." Tess looked down in disappointment and directed her anger at the person standing in their doorway  "You've gotta a hell of a lot to explain." Tess' tone was threatening and low " Gano averted her gaze as she stared at him "You know," he chuckled "you remind me of somebody. There are certain things that once you know, you really don't want to know...you know?" Brook, Douglas, and Tess simply stared at him in response "We got time."

"So, wait a sec" Tess was curled up next to Brook on the couch after having taken a shower "You're from another dimension?" she pointed at Gano who was sitting in the kitchen scarfing down a bowl cereal "Thaf righff" Gano forgot to swallow and chew before answering as specks of food flew out his mouth "Hey! Watch it man!!" Douglas scolded as some of it got on his pajama shirt. Everyone had decided to get washed and ready for bed before meeting back up in the common are and go over the events that  had just transpired. Gano was wearing a black shirt and green shorts that Brook had lent him since he didn't have a change of clothes.

"So you're here from another dimension because you're looking for some sort of 'Oracle' that can alter the fate of your world and save it from impending doom, that still doesn't explain why anyone would be after you or why Douglas can cure someone from being blind." Gano swallowed a big helping of Cookie Flakes before he decide to reply "It's not my world I'm trying to save...it's yours. The existence of someone with the power to see in the future and has the potential to alter timelines-is somewhat forbidden." "Forbidden?" Tess questioned "They are often killed, with knowledge of the multiverse and parallel dimensions there comes a governing body and a set of rules." Douglas could see the grim expression on Gano's face as he talked and it left him unnerved 'This dude can stop bullets and he's actually spooked.' "Gano I feel like you've been beating around the bush, hoping it won't burn. Can you stop playing around?"

"Ironic." Gano looked up at his new friend and smiled "Ironic. Why?" Douglas was puzzled at what he meant "It's just..the things you want me tell you about...the things you want me to stay..I'm not allowed, but if you're power is what I think it is-" "So Douglas has special powers for real?" Tess casted a worried glance "It would seem so. There are three different kind of psychic types when it comes to having powers: you have materials who can manipulate the natural elements of nature, then you have forces who can inverse physics and universe's natural law, and then you sensory types that can toy with sense of perception. Sensies-as we call them- are sort of new; we really don't have much in experience in dealing with these types at all. In fact, I'd venture there the most dangerous, and until now there was no way to counter or survive an encounter with one at all."Brook blinked his eyes and shook of the chill that went through him as he recalled the traumatizing experience.

 "So...I wasn't really blind?" Brook asked "Perception is reality Brook, for all intents and purpose you practically were. That's why I was so desperate to save Douglas earlier-he saved my life as well. I owed you one for sure." "So let me get this straight." Tess started "You're telling me he" she pointed at Douglas "can cancel these sensory types, and that there's more than a pretty good chance that people after you are going to send more our way." "That's...the gist of it." Gano was at a loss of words not expecting to encounter someone who deduce things and figure them out so quickly 

"My baby smart." Brook gave Tess a high-five "You know it." Tess' smirked, feeling confident about herself "So wait, what're you going to do now?" "Well, about that" Gano scratched his face as he worked up the nerve to tell them the truth "Let's just say we're all kind of stuck in the same boat." "Stuck in the same boat?" Douglas squirmed in his chair as an uneasy feeling settled over his stomach "How so?" "That woman we encountered was either hired to do reconnaissance or straight up assassinate me. Now that you guys have been associated with me, and we've shown to be on friendly terms-" "In other words, now we're in this too." Tess finished his thought "Pretty much." "Eh...It's whatever." Douglas shrugged "Not my safety I'm worried about to be honest, I wished for this after all. I think it's pretty cool having some sort of power, even if it's kind of lame." Brook chuckled in response "Love the positive outlook. That's a pretty good way to look at it man."

"Brook!" Tess couldn't believe her ears "Babe. Think about it for a second." he took his hands into hers "We've seen what this guy can do. If he wanted to take Douglas hostage...would....if he wanted to drop us form the top of a building...I'm sure he probably would..if could tell us the truth about everything going on...he'd probably do that too. I think he's told us all he can, and if Douglas is going to be involved as much as you Gano, that means you're probably going to stick around to watch our backs...right?" "Right." Gano answered, the understanding and implication between the two not being lost "Tess" Gano folded his hands and his held down as if he was taking a bow "I'm sorry for endangering your friend, but you have my word, if it truly comes down to my life in exchange for one of yours-I'll lay it all on the line." "Gano" Tess raised her hand in protest "It's fine. You can stop. All of this...is by the very definition...surreal. 

Hard to wrap my mind around, much less keep my emotions in check, but I'm not a hateful person at all. I don't trust a single word you've said, but my intuition very rarely steers my wrong. You seem like a good...person, and your intentions feel pure. Since you and this guy are a package deal now that's not the worst thing in the world. Just do something about that hair." 

"My hair? Do you really hate it that much?" Gano started to pout "The green.." Brook mused aloud stroking his goatee "Tacky, kinda stands out, I can see how it's a bit too much" "Don't listen to these two" Douglas shook his head "I think the green looks dope" "You would." Tess muttered under her breath "Hate to say it babe, but in this conversation your opinion doesn't count for much" Tess was incensed as her temple vein started to pulse and throb "What!?" her voice rose and nostrils flared "Let's be real babe, when you look as good as you do, is there ever  a need to develop a sense of style?" A loud smack was heard and several rooms over another noise complaint was filed as the four sides argued about who had the most style into the night. Though there were pressing matters at hand, despite the newfound drama, time was a luxury for the restless and young. 

Purple eyes, pale skin, and purple hair were an awkward combination for sure. Typically this appearance would be giving halloween, punk rock, or you'd imagine someone doing a cosplay of some sort. However for Lystra Hamon, this was simply who she was, and as she walked into Le' Creau- the finest dining restaraunt in Nu City-all eyes were on her. "Aren't you looking fly?" her friend greeted her with a hug, giving her a once over as she took in the sight "So, who's the lucky man.....or lady ?" her friend teased, forming a camera with her index fingers and thumbs Lyrstra could only blush in return "There you go again! Really Ila" she pouted "Aren't you geting a bit too old to always be kidding around!!" Ila  let out a haughty laugh in response " Lys you've got relaxxxxxxxx" she slung her arms around her shoulder "Always worried about the future, the past, the days of future past and all that crap-live in the moment for once....with me." Ila's eyebrows wiggled suggestively as she leaned her face closer. "Such a tease!"  Lystra's burnt a bright red as she threw the taller woman's arm off  "Only for you" Ila offered her hand "Humph" Lysta's cheeks puffed up as she turned away and pretended to ignore her "Alright. Just follow behind then." 

Isla walked away, and despite her initial reluctance Lysta soon fell in stride right beside her "So, any reason Yosh wanted to eat here with us today out of all days." 'Are you kidding me' Ila spoke without speaking as she gave her a look "True. He's a weird little scamp that's for sure. Still, he has good taste, this is an excellent venue, not quite the same as the ones in our world." Ila snorted as Lystra mentally chided herself for her slip of tongue 

"Don't worry about it." Ila reassured her "No one on this plane of existence knows who we really are..and even if they do...well, you're with her." "Her?" Ila flexed as if showing off her muscles. She was a statuesque stunner after all, standing at about six foot, and her shoulders were somewhat broad for a woman her size "Did I use that wrong? Just a bit' of lingo a picked up from some kids the other day." "Kids?" Lystra was worried now "What'd you do?" Lystra interrogated her friend his pace had quickened "Gravity simply did its job." Lystra facepalmed as she put two and two together "Using your powers to get kickballs for kids out of trees-and you're worried about me being caught!" "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." Ila waved her off as they arrived at their table "Yo Yosh! I found the stick in the mud!! You ready to chow down!" 

"Really" sitting at the table for five they reserved was an adolescent  youth wearing white-tailored suite "I see fight, fuss, kiss, make up, is a routine taken to heart by you two." "Mind your manners Yoshi" Lystra lectured the youth as she sat down "We're still your senior after all, respecting your elders is important no matter how much of a genius you are." "Is that so?" Yosh had his nose buried in a book and refused to make eye contact with the two at all, had it not been known that they knew each other well, those on the outside looking in might think he's being rude "Always great to have a meal with Yosh ol' pal" Ila plumped down  and grabbed a menu.  "It's nice to have a meal with you two as well" Yosh pulled his head away from his reading material and acknowledged the two of them with a simple nod as Ila and Lystra exchanged looks of shock "Yosh" Ila felt his forehead to make sure he wasn't running a fever "Is he running a fever?" Lysra panicked "Yoshi are you okay?" she grabbed him by the forearm "I'm...fine." Yosh looked back and forth between the two as if they had lost their mind "Um..is everything okay?" the serve asked as they bore witness to the strange scene "I think...so" Yosh answered awkward and unsure. He and the server stared at each other a good minute and a half "Are you sure?" 

"Gano! Gano! Gano!" a black-haired woman was running towards him, however no matter how fast she ran, no matter how many times she called his name, her voice become harder to hear, and she never drew closer. The woman stopped running towards him, and turned around to walk away, drawing further and further away, she eventually disappeared from sight, and the person in question could was reach out an outstretched hand

"Not again!" Gano  woke up in a cold sweat"Um okay." Tess looked on in concern "Sorry I kept calling your name...but we really have to go. Douglas needs to check in with his people and make sure they're doing alright..were you just having a bad dream?" Taking in his appearance it was clear from the bags under his eyes he didn't sleep well the night before so Tess' decided to let the matter at hand go "Can you get read in five?" Tess held up her fingers in case he was in too groggy of a state to understand  "Yeah"  Gano yawned as he he rubbed the matter out of his eyes "I'll only need four " Brook and Tess had been kind of enough to allow Douglas and Gano to wear some of his spare night clothes while they washed theirs, and considering all the activity they had been part of the day before, it was probably for the best Hope the water isn't cold' Gano thought to himself as he stepped into the shower in the guest bathroom 'Thank God.. I hate cold showers.' As the water sprayed across his face, he closed his eyes and pondered on the strange dream he had the night before 'I hope this doesn't mean anything' he felt a sinking feeling in his chest 'Please..'  he pictured the black-haired women again in his mind's eye '...wherever you are..be safe.' 

"I really hate people who snore" Douglas remarked as everyone gathered in the common area, ready to go "Who snores?" Gano gave him a curious look as Douglas almost doubled over in response "You've got to be kidding me!!" he exclaimed as he readjusted his glasses "You're telling me you really don't know!" Tess was tapping her foot rapidly, waiting for the conversation to end  'This is so dumb' she thought to herself as she pinched her nose in frustration 'this is why I hate living with a bunch of boys! Men I can handle!! Not boys!'  "Guys" Brook checked the time on his phone  "It's way past time to go"  "Me?" Gano couldn't believe what he was hering  "No way. 

No one's told me that before" Douglas gave him a light fist bump to the chest "Ever heard of the 'The Super Carpet Cleaner 9000'?" "Yeah." "That's you." " I get it now!!"  Gano smacked his fist into his palm as an epiphany hit "She was filtering out the sound!!" Tess had temper-ature had finally reached the boiling point as she violently jerked the two of them by the ear  "Listen Idiot one and Idiot two" Tess' voice had laid the sweetness on thick enough to give a bowl of hot chocolate diabetes "It's time to go." Douglas and Gano flailed about and struggled to free themselves from her grip to no avail "Tess" Douglas moaned "C'mon" Gano groaned "Damn fellas" Brook could only shake his head in response "Another one bites the dust." "Now boys, when I let you go, do you promise to behave."  Taking the thumbs up they gave as confirmation Tess loosed her grip  " Alright then!Time to hit the road!" 

"Aye Dougie? Aye Dougie? Aye Dougie?" Drives could be long, tedious, and boring, and while this one wasn't, because Gano didn't have to rely on conventional modes of transportation he had the attention span of a fly "Earth to Douglas. Helloooo." "What!" Douglas snapped, having successfully ignoring the man for five minutes "What're your parents like?" Gano asked, keen on passing the time someway somehow " This should be a good one " Tess snickered form the passenger side "Now that I think about it" Brook made another turn "What're folks like Doug? You don't really talk about them much." Douglas rolled his eyes, but since he could very well be headed to his demise, he figured it couldn't hurt to spill some of the beans  "My parent's are pretty big time researchers in their respective fields; growing up we were never particularly close but they were always pretty chill. 

More like homies than people who are supposed to raise you and teach you life lessons and stuff. Most of that was left to my Aunt Rain...that's who I'm really scared to see." Douglas shuddered at the thought. It had been awhile since he had gotten in big enough trouble to set off his Aunt's hair trigger temper, and the realization was slowly dawning on him that he couldn't rely on the "nephew card" to get him out of this one  'Awh man...I'm doomed!'  Douglas took off his glasses and wiped the tears from his eyes as the image of his loving and doting Aunt was replaced by fire and brimstone "I can feel the frying pan tearing through my skull already." 

Douglas flinched from the phantom pain as Gano raised an eyebrow "It can't be that bad" Gano tried to comfort his friend  "Ion know" a knot formed in Tess' stomach as well "He might have reason to be concerned" "Tess you're not helping!" Look at that" Brook whistled "Almost there!" "I hate you people."Gano placed a comforting hand on his shoulder "If it helps you feel better man.." "Dontsayitdontsayitdontsayitdontsayit" Douglas repeated in succession "..I'll be there in spirit" Anxiety, poor sleep, and car rides are often a bad mix, and as Douglas' knuckles met the Gano's unsuspecting face it was a lesson he would never forget "Ouch! Why the hell'd you do that!?" 

Violet Springs was your typical suburb and not the place you expected two world renowned award winning scientists to live. There were green lawns, people walking their dogs, and no one was looking over their shoulder or worried about someone stealing their car, but it was nothing extravagant really "For a dude who grew up to be into really weird conspiracies and stuff you sure come from a regular lookin' neighborhood." 

Gano peeked out the window unimpressed. He was still licking his wound from earlier as he rubbed his sore cheek  "Maybe that's why" Tess mused aloud "You grow up in a place like this and get cooped up inside the house all the time..." Steam exited Douglas ears as they talked about him like he wasn't there "I'm literally right here!!" he exclaimed  "Hey y'all...leave the man alone" Brook seemingly came to his defense "You know what Brook...thanks. I literally believe that's the best you can do." A silence settled over the car as Brook slowed down and made the last turn "Well" Brook announced as if they were on a cruise "Ladies and gentleman..we've finally arrived. 

"Alright. Let's get his over with." Douglas sighed "Wish me luck." he gave everyone a wave as got out the car "Douglas wait!" Tess' gaze met his, he had never seen her look more serious and tense "Lead with your heart, not with your mind." she placed her hand on her chest "Sometimes things don't make sense, and so much can be easily understood and confused, but what's in here, will always be more honest than what's in there. Make them understand you your way. 

Also.." she trailed of as started to avert his gaze "Oh for god sakes!!" Douglas rolled his eyes and stormed off "I'll remember to tell Aunt Rain to save you a slice of key lime pie!!" Gano lost it in the back despite feeling guilty for what he put him through, and Brook broke into a fit of laughter as well "Guys...be more mature." the two paused to look at her utter disbelief "Really Tess?" Brook called her by her actual name "Key lime Pie?" Tess flipped her hair and  pulled down the mirror to check her make up "What can I say..it's really good." 

'Dontbeafraiddontbeafraiddontbeafraiddontbeafraid' Douglas had stopped short of knocking on the door of his own home as he squeezed his eyes shut ' I am afraid!!' his face took on a grim look 'Of course, it's not me I'm afraid for' he thought on the bluff he had been on a receiving end of a couple of days ago 'But I also can't let them down.'  His thoughts drifted towards  Gano, Tess, Brook, and the sense of camaraderie they had started to build "That's right!" he said aloud as he knocked on the door "Wherever the heart is...that's home! I've got two now!" Tachycardia attached itself to him and finally after much wait and anticipation his Aunt Rain opened the door with a loud creeeeakkkkkk and greeted him  with a hug "Douglas" rolled  down her cheeks as she spoke his name in a soft gentle tone "I'm so glad you're safe."

 Douglas was too shocked to respond with words so he did the next best thing and  leaned into her embrace "Aunt Rain I-" Doulgas tried to speak before his Aunt interrupted him  "I can wait til' later, it's very rare the four of us can sit down at the table and gather together like this. C'mon, I made your favorites." Douglas' face lit up like the night sky "Even Key Lime Pie." Aunt Rain grabbed him by the cheek like when he was younger "Now you know better. That's the first thing I made."

What's awkward isn't the silence  at times like this Douglas thought to himself, what's awkward is when there's no silence at all, he thought his parents we capable of some prospect of emotion with him having gone to jail and all, but they didn't seem to care  'Then again' Douglas took another big spoonful of his Aunt's key lime pie 'when the food's this delicious, is there any reson to be upset by anything at all?' "Adams family ain't got nothing on y'all." Aunt Rain looked back, forth, and across at  father, mother, and son "I just can't believe it myself." she folded her arms "Rain" Douglas' mother Celcia' gave her sister a look of concern "What's wrong?" she wiped away some crumbs with her napkin "It's unusual for the cook not to enjoy the own meal." Scrapes of metal against glass were heard as Douglas' father Gerald finished scarfing the rest of his meal down "Fate may have given me the wrong sister after all!" he teased "Same gene pool-one sister can cook- the other can barely cook at all." his dad laughed at his joke before continuing on  "Fascinating. 

Honestly, the next subject of my research needs to be about what's going on under the roof my own home." Aunt Rain nearly choked on her food at the astonishing lack of self-awareness as the food went down the wrong pipe and she started to cough "I've got a riddle for you guys!" Rain held up her glass and stood up at the table as if making an announced "An anthropologist and geneticist walk into bar and neither one knows what's going on with their own son!" Oh man Douglas" his father stopped eating and shifted all his focus and attention on him "I'm got your record cleared, but I wan's able to pull enough strings to salvage the lease on the apartment. I'm sorry son." Rain facepalmed "A bit of trouble this weekend huh?" his mother smiled at him "Boys will be boys I suppose. Do you want to talk to us about waht's going on?" "Normally I don't mind your misadventures Douglas, but you do have to be careful playing with guns." 

" Guns!" his mother's voice shrieked loud enough to smash the sound barrier "Gerald, why didn't you inform me  of what was going on with my son." his father looked back and forth between his wife and son unsure how to respond "I figured if you were privy to the details you'd make him move back home without having a chance to explain himself. I know our son, he's never gotten in trouble for something like this before, he deserves the benefit of the doubt."

 Douglas' mother was beside herself and taken aback "Well he is moving back home." there was finality to her tone as Douglas' lips all of a sudden felt dry "Sis, you can't just make decisions like that hands on hands off. He's not a kid anymore-he's a Junior in colle-" "Douglas father held up his hand as everyone at the table grew silent "First things first, Rain until you share the key lime pie recipe you need to be quiet" "Oh god" "Second, son, you've got the floor now." "Oh." this was unexpected, his parents usually never asked him more than a few questions, this was the opportunity of the lifetime, a new path opened before him where could tell them about his hopes, dreams, life experiences, but reality smacked him hard as remembered something Gano told them 

"I can't tell you guys what happened, all I can see is that it wasn't me who fired that gunshot, and my life's not in any danger. Crazy as it sounds, for the first time in a long time, I fell like this is the closest my life's ever been to feeling complete." his Rain gave him a curious look "I think..I've finally decided on a major." this revelation piqued his parent's interests as they beamed with a sense of pride "Honey" his mother clutched her chest as tears welled up in eyes "That's Great!! What'd you choose." she was literally on the edge of her seat "Archaeology." his father stood up and clapped "Now that's my boy. I'm excited to hear that son that's great news." Douglas nodded along as his parent's chatted and shared their excitement in his future plans "Still" Douglas' mother made to take a sip from her wine glass before suddenly remembering something "So you're not moving back home?" his mother asked as his Aunt Rain folded her arms and looked on expectantly "Um...no. I've decided I'm going to crash with Tess; for awhile." 

"I think that's a great idea son." his father spoke up "It comes a time in every man's life where he must grow and he must glow. It's nothing wrong with being a baby bird, but even baby birds eventually find the courage and strength they need to fly towards the son. You son, are the apple of my high, so spread your wings and fly wherever you may as your heart so desires. Just remember that your mother and I love you and there's never a right time to return home. You're welcome always." "Oh" Douglas' mother rushed over to him and wrapped her around him as he broke down and cried "It's fine. Let it all out." 

She walked over the two and consoled him by gently rubbing his back "This is what family dinner's are all about. Emotional Release." Douglas' father loudly cleared his throat "Encore on dessert?" he proposed "Gerald! You gluttonous ass!" his mother wiped her tears "So that's where I get it from." Douglas started at his old man before smiling "Awesome." "Seconds coming right up!" Rain announced "Aunt Rain I  forgot!!" "Douglas, what is it?" she furrowed her brow in concern "We've gotta save a piece for Tess!" 

"Hey guys! Douglas said everything turned out okay." she said with a tinge of excitement "Dougie pulled it off huh?" Brook threw his head back impressed as they made their return "Most important of all he saved me  a piece of key lime pie! Gano," Tess whispered, not sure if the he was really asleep "Everything turned out okay." Tess could see the green man's form visibly relax "I guess he really fell asleep" 'That nightmare was for real last night. I wasn't just imaging things.' Tess looked at her reflection in the window pane, and the person staring back at her wasn't looking as familiar as before "You okay my love" Brook took Tess' hand in his and gave it a slight peck, that seemed to ground her for the moment as she returned the gesture "Just been a long weekend. Ready to unwind and get ready for the week." Brook could tell when she was lying, because right after she would always twirl her hair around her finger on the left side "If you say so. If you say so." 

"You know, that was the best family dinner we've had in a long time." Douglas glowed as he took in the moment's warmth "Indeed son. Indeed son." Douglas' father smirked "Don't you agree dear?" he look to his wife for affirmation, and to his surprise it seemed she was taking today's events surprisingly well "Of course you two would say that" she sneered  "You're having your way but..." A tender expression found it's way to her face "My boy is turning into a man..I see that now. Wherever this road may lead that you're going down" She turned to her son as she spoke "Just make sure you make yourself proud. If there's any lesson to be taken from your father and I-it's not just going to the beat of your own dream-you must learn to relax and play it well-other's must enjoy the tune. Understand?" "Yes mother, I understand." 

Douglas responded, making sure to make a mental note of her words "Is Tess on the way? We get so caught up in our own problems I almost forgot to save the  girl a plate." Tess hung around the family so much during her younger years that in Aunt Rain's mind they had adopted her as their own it came as no shock that she wondered where she was "She said she'll pick me up later sometime...after all that's went down this week I think she was a bit scared to come in." 

Rain rolled her eyes "I don't know why. It's not her that got into trouble it's you. But if you're going to be staying with her and Brook for an extended period of time you probably need to go ahead and pack." Douglas looked around about the table to measure the temperature of the room and make sure it was safe enough to leave "Douglas stop being a silly goose and go upstairs and pack your things." his mother scolded "I was going to say awkward duck myself, but silly goose works as well." his father adjusted his glasses as he chimed in "More like sad otter" his Aunt Rain joined in to tease "Well, if you'll excuse me" Douglas' cheeks started to flush "I'll be heading upstairs! to pack my things!" he yelled "No yelling in this house young man!!" 

"Nice to meet you so early in the day-Ms. Mayuri." The man was dressed in a white suiteand hat akin to something you'd seen in the video of the  world's  greatest  pop artist. His irises were so white they blended in with his sclera to the point  all you could see were his pupils. This, combined with his snow-white hair gave him an eerie appearance "Akurusa you bastard, you know better than to  waste my time calling me this early." Mayuri spat his name with venom as she sat down in the booth at the cafe'  "Oh woe! You do wound me so!" his black gloves covered his face as he carried on with histrionic "I don't have time for this." she pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration "Just get on with it, what do you need me to do now you old crone."  

This seemed to put Akurusa off a bit as he sulked a bit and immediately frowned "Aren't you a downer." the waitress brought his coffee as he opened up several packs of sugar and cream and began to stir  "Coming from Debbie Downer the Devil himself." she yawned  "Never been called that before. Dammit I spilled some of the sugar." he wiped the table with a napkin "So you've finally tracked and traced this Gano character. What now?" Akurusa seemed to ignore her as he blew his coffee several times before taking a sip "Still hot." he put the cup down before pulling a a file from his jacket and setting it on her side of the table "You tied up that loose end for me right?" his voice was cold and frigid as the started to discuss business "Haven't I always since you met me?" Mayuri returned his icy glare with one of his own 

"Such a cold exterior" Akarusa observed  "Your eyes...they're just like mine were." Mayuri was unnerved and unsettled. Normally is gaze didn't catch her oof guard or scare her, but this time he seemed to be looking through instead of to. "Sorry about that" he apologized, taking another sip "I'll take my leave now. I apologize in advance." A sense of dread overcame her and she was instantly alarmed. Neither one of them were the type for pleasantries and neither adhered to anything resembling a code of honor the constituted anything resembling politeness "Akurusa! What the hell is going on here!!" he exited the restaurant cup of coffee in hand  without even a parting glance 'What's on this file dammit!' Mayuri quickly pulled the papers apart and nearly doubled over and fainted as a face from the past she long left behind made an appearance "Akuruasa you piece of shit!" she rushed out the restaurant, but by the time she got outside he blended in with the crowd and made his disappearance.

"You know could and damn well" her voice was faint whisper in the wind at his point as her throat tightened up "She bit her lip until her lipstick turned a brighter red as looked at the file she held her in hand "Maybe, this is the back payment...the comeuppance....the long awaited punishment for my countless sins. I wish it could've been anybody but you..."

A car horn sounded outside as Douglas and his family gathered around the front door "Guess that's Tess. Um.." Douglas rubbed his neck as he struggled to find the right words "It's not always about having the right words son." his father pulled him into an embrace "Sometimes you have to say what you mean and show it through actions" his dad gave him a thumbs up as he stepped back as his mother did the same. She smiled at him and Douglas did the same as Aunt Rain came over and pecked him on the cheek "C'mon! I'm too old for that stuff Rain!!" ignoring him she placed a hand on his head and messed with his hair "I just picked out my fro!!" Douglas moaned and groaned "Yeah, half-way, but it's start. Alright then. Go on ahead!" she commanded with her hands on her hips "What's that theme song of that show you used to watch about the giant robots. 

Something about a young boy rising up and becoming a legend?" Douglas didn't if he was more dumbfounded at Aunt Rain remembering the shows he watched as a kid or referencing one as part of a goodbye speech "Well, you know..." she snapped her fingers as if discovering something "Do the thing!" Douglas' parents shared a luck and chuckled "My sister does have her way, not a way with words, but she does have her way." Douglas looked on in confusion "We're getting choked up like he won't be next weekend looking for a plate to eat..and we will too." 

"You're taking the weekend off again?" Douglas couldn't believe his ears "Had a known I'd have such a need son I'd have expedited my research and retired years ago." his mother joined in "Taking out a couple weekends during the months is far from a hassle, especially if I have a son is going to be getting himself in trouble nowadays."

 Douglas' father nodded in agreement "You know dear, I know he knows his biology well enough, but Im wondering if he can handle the psychological and emotional aspect of having the talk." his father wondered aloud. Seeing where the conversation was going Douglas quickly scooped up his bags and rushed outside to the car as his parent's looked on in pride "It's a shame we never pushed him to be an athlete; we might've a wasted a talent he had." "Sadly he has no interest in such things, but I see when properly motivated he can be quite fast. I'll have to keep that in mind if he ever wants to come work at the lab and we need him to run errands." 'Take care my son.' she thought to herself 'Love you.' 

"Omygodomygodomygod" Douglas repeated the mantra over and over again "Wasn't even  sure you knew  who that was." Tess took a worried look over her shoulder at her frazzled friend "Things went well? Is that right?" she sounded unconvinced "Things did go well " he reassured her and his breathes became less rapid as they started the drive "Ah huh." Tess squinted her eyes  Douglas looked over at Gano's resting form and smiled "I said the same thing. I hate to say it, but that's weirdo grows on you pretty fast doesn't he?" "Yeah" Douglas scratched his head "Kinda. You don't share a couch with him so he's definitely not as pleasant to be around when you got bullets coming at you." 

 Brook was quiet in the front seat, but Tess' noticed as he took his letterman sleeve and wiped something from his eyes "Brook" Tess' mouth went agape in shock "Were you crying-" Brook gripped the steering wheel tight after almost swerving into the other lane "Hell no!!" Douglas shook his head in disappointment "Just when I think I've got you figured out." 

 "But I've got you figured out!!" "No! I've got you figured out!" "Listen her glasses, you survived one haymaker..." Tess instantly knew where the conversation was going 'You know what' she spared a glance at the green-haired stranger that had just entered their lives 'Imma take page out of your book' putting her noise cancellers in she closed her eyes and nodded off the rest of the way. 

Tell was an exotic pet owner, and lion he kept at his mansion was his pride and joy, he could really care less what any else had to say. He fed the thing, kept in decent shape, he was an All American Badass that could do what he wants at the end of the day "Well, how's it going Zeke ol' pal" he decided to pay a visit to the outdoor enclosure where the lion was kept "I see they fed you well today" he looked at the discarded bones on the ground "That's good. What was the point in making millions and running several successful companies if you weren't allowed to confiscate an exotic pet or two "He doesn't belong here you know.." Tell's dropped his bottle of jack  and spit the rest out his mouth as a strange man emerged from the shadows and stood right next to Zeke 

"Who..who the hell are you!? Get your filthy hands off him!! I paid good money for that lion! He belongs to me!" the man opened the entrance into the enclosure and Tell started to panic and backpedal as  Zeke followed in step "What...what the fucking hell's is going on!? The hell'd you do to my lion you freak!!" the man took the red toboggin of his head and placed it Zeke's, making sure not to mess up the creature's beautiful cinnamon brown mane "You don't have to worry about no more...Your time with him is done. " his eye's narrowed and Tell couldn't tell if his mind was playing tricks on him as his pupils glowed with yellow luminescence reminiscent of the moon  "Oh man!" Tell started laughing hysterically "I gotta lay off the sauce! Dis' one of dem' lucid dream I'm having! I'll be straight in an hour or so." he closed his eyes and started to relax, and just as soon as he relaxed he found himself devoured whole. 

"Aye Tess! This cat needs to get his own clothes." Brook gestured to the man sitting next to him "What's a cat?" Gano looked around the table confused as everyone paused and looked at him "You guys don't have cats in your dimension?" "Nah, we do." Gano admitted "I just wanted to throw you chickens for a loop." Tess was picking mushrooms off the slice of pizza they ordered before looking at Gano like his head got cut off "Chickens? Is that the kind of lingo they use over there??" "Well yeah, you guys don't say that over here?" he seemed genuinely curious as he leaned forward "Over here that's more like two thousand six...there we go." she bit into her slice of pizza after picking the last mushroom of "Sorry babe. I forgot" Brook pointed at his noggin' "I don't always have it together up here" then he place his hand over his heart "But I always got it together here." 

Douglas covered his mouth as if keeping his food in and Gano made as if he was about to throw up "My skin's about to my match my hair" Gano murmured "I can't believe girls fall for this stuff. Thank god you're good at sports Brook; I could never get away with something like that." Tess picked up the pace on picking the mushrooms from her second slice  "Don't listen to them Brook. I think that was cute." that lifted Brook's spirits as immediately looked up "Looks like you two could learn a thing or two." 

Gano wagged his finger in protest "Douglas could learn a thing or two. I'm  actually engaged." 'ENGAGED!!!" the three yelled out in unison "I guess you do have psychic powers and all-" Dogulas started "-and aside from the green hair it's not to far of a stretch to say you're cute" Tess added "-but in their right mind would marry a lazy jackass like you." closing his eyes an image of a certain someone came to mind "Heard that one before" he frowned in disapproval "but what's mine is mine" he folded his arms in defiance "Not sure why she settled down with a guy like me herself, but what'd you know..she's the love of my life. I'd do anything for her at the end of the day." Something about what Gano said piqued Tess' interest 

"Is that right?" she interrogated him further "Um..yeah." Gano ran his fingers through his hair "Is..that weird?' Tess immediately shook her head "No. Since I've met you that's the most human you've been. It's good to see." she offered him one of her mushrooms "What's this for?" Gano stared at the fungus in confusion "It's this dumb superstition Tess got from her mom. She did it with me as a kid, and with Brook the day after they started to date for real. It' s a story she really loves to tell." Brook found a toothpick and leaned back in his chair "Go head and tell the story babe. You know you want to." he had to force himself not to smile, the story had grown on him a, but if he told Tess that might the last story he'd hear." 

"All right Tess' voice trembled in excitement and giggled as she began "There was once a village that was visited by a leprechaun long ago, but the leprechaun only visited once a year. The kingdom that ruled the land often forgot about the people, and at times that had to go several days without anything to eat or drink 'The knights from the kingdom have already reached the end of the rainbow and stolen my pot of gold, I can offer you fame nor fortune in it's place' the men, women, and children of the village broke out into tears as their stomachs filled with depression and their eyes filled with tears. "Joy stolen from one's heart cannot be returned" he took of his hat and offered his condolences to the disappointed crowd "Give me one week to return, and I'll make smiles out of all those frowns.' he promised, and quicker than a blink of an eye he disappeared. 

As the nights turned to days, and days turned into almost a week the leprachaun returned, and once again gathered the crowd "I HAVE RETURNED!!" the leprechaun announced, as the crowd erupted in a great uproar "Calm down. Calm down.It was impossible to fulfill your requests of bringing silver and gold, but I told my people of your plight, and we've brought a greater treasure you can sure.' Unbuckling his green coat he revealed a pocket full of four leaf clovers on both sides "Flowers!!" one of the villagers was incredulous "My children need something to eat! They can do nothing with this!" he shouted 

"This green imp means to deceive us! He wants us dead' another woman chimed in "I did not have to return" the leprechaun threw the clovers into the air and allowed them to scatter as they fell to the ground "Pick them up if you must" he challenged "leave them if you dare. I've brought a gift greater than gold, and in week's time when I return my words will prove to be true." just as he had before the leprechaun vanished from their sight, with no sign of ever having been there, but in the following week, true to the leprechauns' words things changed. 

An emissary came form the kingdom and met with the head of the village so they could receive supplies, fruit and flower that even in the spring wouldn't bloom found a way during winter, and the closed heart's the villagers walked around with before slowly started to open as many found love, in a week's time the leprechaun returned.

 'Thank you Mr. Leprechaun!! Thank you!" they came at him in a rush ;My daughter met a knight from the kingdom and now she's betrothed!' the woman from earlier shouted in tears 'You were true to your word.' the head of the village acknowledged and shook his hand "If I can beg your pardon" he  bent down on one knee "Suffering and poverty has been the history of this village for so long, This joy and happiness you've given us and allowed to be spread-please allow us to share it with our kids." the leprechaun knew it'd be tough sell, and his kind had very strict limits on how often they were supposed interact and share their secrets with man, but as he felt the desperation in the man's grip, and his lips started to quiver he hoped and prayed they'd understand.

 "I can see now I've brought you and your people a gift, but be warned, though I can bring you fortune greater than any riches, I can not bring you wisdom. This visit will be my last-for your future generations and children- afterwards, you will never see my again.' the leprechaun once again vanished into thin air, and before children went to bed that night their parent's prepared them for the week to come. 

Just as promised, when the leprechaun returned, only children were allowed to crowd around for his last visit, knowing this there was clover aplenty to go around "Thank you!" a little girl cheered who was holding her younger brother's hand "No problem." he gave her a great big smile as she departed 'I want grow up to be a fierce protecter of the family- a strong knight!" as the sun's rays hit the leprechaun was captivated by bravery and bravado shown on his face "Me! Don't forget about me!' another boy yelled 'Oh! Oh! Don't forget about me!' shouted another little girl.' 'It seems I've reached the end of the rainbow myself' the leprechaun smiled as took in the look of joy on the children's faces 

'Perhaps the real pot of gold...it was always hidden here.' Soon the swarm ended as the crowd dissipated and disappeared as all the clovers were passed, but right before the moment he readied himself to be whisked away to never be seen again, a faint whimper was picked up by the wind and carried to his ears 'It seems I can't go home yet' honing in on the location, he channel his focused, and found himself surrounded by trees on the outskirt of town 'What am I doing here?' Head on a swivel his heart nearly broke in two at what he found 'Child! Child! You poor child!!' scooping the youth into his arms he looked him up and down 'What're you doing wandering out here all alone! You should be back in town!!' the child could barely speak and had hardly the strength to hold onto the leprechaun's hand 'I...." he could barely eek out the words in between coughs

 'Hush child. Don't speak.' the leprechaun put his hand on the boy's forehead and tapped into the deep recesses of his mind and what was revealed to him made him cry 'I see your father was a thief that was banished from town and your pregnant mother was exiled with him as well. A man's tongue is can become cruel and twisted and tell many a number of lies, but his heart, his heart and mind will often reveal his true desires. Alas, I've run out of clovers to give, all I have to spare is my pitiful life.' 

A heavy wave of sadness and sorrow came over the boy and can sense life leave his limb as his spirit started to die, the leprechaun looked up to the sky and looked down at the worn out figure he held in his arms 'Such an innocent life' he closed his eyes and after drawing a deep breath, he made up his mind  'Hold onto this my child' he picked up a mushroom off the ground as they were both bathed in a warm ethereal glow 'You see, the green clover is a special medium made for our kind, it makes it easier to heaven's fortune onto others, but really in a pinch of a time, other trinkets can still be put to plenty of good use.' the intensity of the light that surrounded them grew, the leprechaun could feel his strength weaken as life returned to the boy's eyes as he continued to glow.

"You've suffered a great pain in your life, but a strength becomes yours, there's one thing I want you to know..' he whispered something into the boy's ears and the young man nodded in response "The rainbow doesn't end at the pot of gold?" the boy asked finally able to speak 'No' the leprechaun mouthed, color faded from his body and coat, as he laid the boy gently on the ground, and with everything he had left, teleported him to safety before hitting the ground 

"That.." Gano had borrowed a handkerchief from Brook as Tess finished the story "Gano really?" Douglas looked on in disappointment as Gano continued to wipe away the tears. 'Tess...thank for that. It's one the taleist tales of ever heard someone tell in my life. It touched my soul." Tess clapped her hands together overjoyed as squealed with glee "You're welcome Gano, thank you for sitting through it, that means so much to me. Earlier you looked kind of down, so I hope that lifted your spirits some." the lights in the apartment flickered on and off "Yeah. I feel better now." he reassured her with a thumbs up "What a second?" Douglas was putting two and two together in his head "Don't ruin the surprise" Gano wagged his finger back and forth before he could speak his mind "What surprise?" Brook gave the two a suspicious eye "You two...closer than we thought?" the insinuation wasn't lost on either one "

WHAT!?" Douglas shouted in protest "Honestly man" Gano deadpanned "Even if I went that way...I could do better than him." Douglas was fuming at this point "BETTER THAN ME!" Douglas raised his voice as Tess' temple began to throb  "I can begin to feel a migraine coming on" "Do you have an aura or some sort of trigger that brings them on?" Gano's meant well, but was ill timed "I think I'm seeing a couple of auras right now.." Tess growled "There it goes. That's my cue to go to bed." Brook got up from the table and immediately left  "Igottausethelittleboysroom!" Douglas rushed to the restroom, but his reasons for doing  so seemed dubious."

"The hell's wrong with those guys" Gano yawned and stretched, the sleep  he had been missing out over the last week or so was hitting him like a ton of bricks "Honestly, aren't as bad as you might think?" Tess began tidying up the apartment "I just don't want Brook and glasses over there feeling bad cause I  stay up all night sometimes."   "I'll be up." Gano leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling as he spoke "I got plenty of sleep during the day, so I'll probably stay up extra late tonight.It's no big deal." 

Tess' took one of the mushrooms from her pizza and threw it at him, Gano using his powers to slow its movement he managed to make a perfect catch "Thanks." Gano replied "A friend of mine told me these were good luck." he stuffed the fungus into his blazer  "Oh. The two of us are friends?"  A loud flush cut their conversation short as the shower started to run "Oh no you don't !" Gano rushed into the bathroom as a struggle for the shower head broke out "What the- what the hell are you doing!"  "You use all the hot water man, 

I take quick ones so you should  let me go first!!" Tess searched the counter for her noise-blocking plugs "I'm naked you freak!! I don't even know how you can be in here man!!" "Nothing I haven't seen bigger and better of before!" Gano continued to argue "If it's that damn important then we can shower together at the same time." and  with that, the war was won, as Douglas emerged in defeat with his clothes back on. Tess' considering taking out her plugs and being nosy 'Curiosity killed the  cat, not me.' she thought to herself before letting bygones be bygones 'Be careful what you wish for dammit 'Douglass  thought himself 'I wanted to be proven right about ghost, espers, magic, and stuff but not like this!! This man's a green-haired weirdo lunatic  freak!!' Gano snickered as the warm water  from the shower sprayed across his face 'Every once in awhile' he thought to himself 'it's good to have your way.'

"Coming home mighty late aren't we?" Derrick looked to his side,, nearly detaching himself from his  skeleton-as Mayuri greeted him with a wave "No way!" he shouted, pinching his cheek and hers in disbelief  "It's actually you! Not to mention, you showed up in person! It's been so long!!" "Maybe it should've been longer" Mayuri snarked, rubbing her sore cheek "Still overexcited as ever,  I see." Derrick pinched the other one for good measure "Stop you oaf!" she batted his hand "You coming inside? Or you too good to catch up while knockin' back a couple of drinks."

 Mayuri despite knowing better, threw her hands up in defeat "Why the hell not? No point in being old enough to considered a real adult if you can't make a couple of mistakes." taking the keys out of his pocket, he unlocked the door, and they both stepped in "You know what they say about entering a man's apartment during these hours right?" Derrick slung his arm around her shoulder "Let me guess, something really dumb?" Mayuri answered  "Be cool old friend" Derrick retrieved a couple of glass bottles from the refrigerator   as they kicked off their shoes and socks, taking seats on opposite sides of the couch "Yo, what you wanna watch? Space Avengers six?" 

 Mayuri took another large sip of the cold refreshment in response "Space Avengers six it is." Derrick chuckled as he put the movie on, and as the movie played on the screen, the two drifted off into a world of their own. 'There's something I need to talk to her about.' Derrick thought to himself 'I may never have another chance to speak to him again.' Mayuri thought to herself as she downed another gulp 'So much on my heart, my mind-' Derrick's heart started to pace 'I've got something I need to say.' Mayuri stood up "Five's a whole lot better don't you think?/Can I have another drink?" they spoke over each other at the same time "Ah" Douglas got up in a hurry to fulfill her request "Five shucks'." Mayuri's words started to slur as she could feel her senses dull as inebriation came on  

"Shucks'? Words slurring?" Derrick looked at her like she'd grown a third head "Let me get you a blanket man." Nerves left his chest "Oh man" he was in disbelief as he shook his head "Good to know some things never change" Mayuri immediately pulled her shirt down to expose part of chest "You see this! This is cleavage dammit!! I'm a woman now!" "Ah! ha ha ha haaaaa!" Derrick lost as he rolled on the apartment floor in a fit of laughter "Your body says woman" he pointed at her "but face you made says child!" he was kicking and screaming at this point "Stupid Jerk!" Mayuri flipped him off, but before long she founded herself  joining in as well. The tension in the air was soon cut, as the spent the rest of the night watching old movies while catching up on old times until the break of dawn.

"Okay. Okay." Derrick pulled up a movie about a boy and his dog "Old Fifo. Are you sure you want to watch that one?" Mayuri placed her hand on his arm "Yeah." he tapped her on the shoulder for reassurance "I'm good." he started the movie as they both still sat on the opposite side of the couch "Good idea warming up the cover" Mayuri rubbed the sleep out of her eye, but as she felt it coming on, she had a feeling the sandman was due to win a round "Guy like me...I never run out of good ideas." Mayuri couldn't help but frown, no matter how much she tried, the knowledge and news from earlier in the day continued to weigh her down "Derrick?" "Hm" 

Derrick was also struggling to rub the sleep from his eye"I got a question for you, but it's pretty dumb" Mayuri's grew eyelids were staring to grow heavy as well "Can't be any dumber than the dumbest thing you've said." Mayuri's eyes somersaulted at this hour "Why do birds fly?" Derrick's eyes were closed at this point as his chest started to fall and rise "Now...why...you as' som' like that." Mayuri tried her hardest to blink her eyes to no avail "Birds fly..caue..." Derrick's words were  unintelligible as he ran them together under his breath, but it probably didn't matter. The were heard chirping outside, filling in the void as if they were answering the questions for themselves, as night broke into dawn, and dawn breaks into day the chirp cries grow louder as they-like the figures on the opposite side of the couch-yearn for more.

"Yuri, Yuri, hey Yuri, wake up" Derrick shook her softly "I gotta shower real fast, I got some important business to take care of before noon. Mind waiting for me on the way out? It'll only take five minutes for me to get ready." Mayuri yawned in response "Cool." Derrick hopped in the shower as Mayuri made herself presentable as one could after staying over night unprepared "That was fast." Mayuri looked him up and down, actually a bit impressed "You use to be a lot more slow when it comes to these sort of things." Derrick simply winked in response "Don't get cocky you spazz." the two descended down the stairs and stopped just short of the parking lot, unsure of the right way to part "Hey" Derrick was the first to speak "You remember that stray?" "Of course" Mayuri allowed herself to smile  "Me and that ol' junkyard dog, boy we ran through the streets every day after school going on a grand ol' adventure. 

 I loved that dog like he was my own-momma wouldn't let me have one-" Mayuri elbowed him for being rude "You were allergic." Derrick nodded in agreement "True...she was still tripping though. Anyways,, one day this fool come  hoppin' around with his leg scratched, got a wound trying to go toe to toe with the main rival. Dumb as hell. But he couldn't have been that hurt, out of nowhere this fool gets a second gust of wind and sprints to the corner of Apple and Eve running in circles like he usually does. I always wondered what so special about that damn corner.

 Then I looked over there one day...see a girl from my school. Crazy thing is, a lot of people pass through there, and there's a lot of traffic, but the only one's that can see the girl standing in the corner were Lorenzo and me. I look for Lorenzo at the usual place and he's never where to be found, so I decide instead of wasting my time, I already know where to go. I find my partner in crime, leg wrapped in tape, playing with that same cute little girl form the day before, so I go over and introduce myself

"-with a great big ol' smile." Mayuri's hair was blowing in the wind, it was a nice breeze with a slight chill, but the weatherman warned it could get much colder later in the night, and the day had already begun "I guess, people are only allowed to see what others want them to say." Derrick's eyes started intently into her as he spoke "Good you already know." Mayuri made to walk away but froze in her tracks as Derrick called her name "I guess. I'll be seeing you down the road...right old pal'." Mayuri looked away, she was no longer able to face him "I hope so Derrick. I just hope you find what you're looking for no matter what path that leads you down." Derrick took one last glance at the back of his old friend and looked up at the sky "I hope so too. You know why birds fly don't you " he walked off leaving her without a chance to answer the question herself "The fly...because they can." 

Tess wasn't sure when or where she was as she opened her eyes "What..what the hell.." her voice was barely a whisper as her vision crystallized and heart was overcome with dread. The city she knew and loved, that she had come to know as her hometown had been ruined and torn to shreds. A gut wrenching stench filled the air, as smolder, smoke, and flame decorated downtown; even worse, her eyes dilated as she nearly doubled over and puked as she recognized the identity of the carcasses that were laid about on the ground. 

"No...NO!!" she rushed as fast as her weakened frame would carry her as Douglas was spread face flat on the cold pavement ground  "God..no." she rolled him over, as she quickly scanned the visage  of her childhood friend:his glasses were broken in half and barely hanging off his ear, and his brown eyes full of life were dull, still, and unmoved "What kind of fucked up nightmare is this!?" she wondered aloud as a strong gust of wind whisked her and the corpse of her friend away "Ouch!! OW!!" she landed with a thud as she was thrown to the ground. Her long black hair had come undone as her hair tie must've been lost with the wind, as she struggled to open her eyes "Is that..." the gust eased up, and in the distance she could see a figure with long red hair holding up a familiar green "GANO!!" She called out to him, but upon closer inspection, it was clear he was hanging on be a thread-the only indication of him being alive being a slight twitch of the hand 'Who the hell?' Tess thought to herself  'If this is a bad dream...I better wake up soon' and soon as the thought entered her head things seemed to take a turn for the worst.

"Tess, what  are you doing here?" the two found themselves on a beach  filled with black sand as the man spied on them above "Gano" she rushed to hug him as she looked him all over to check to see if he was alive "I thought...I thought you died.."Gano's pupils shrank in horror as wave crashed upon wave "If you're here.." he tore out tufts of hair in frustration as he hit the ground in desolation "Nonononononoonononononono" he uttered to himself over and over again "Nononononononononoono" Tess clasped her hands together and started to tremble, not sure how to help the man in his current state "No dammit!" It was then that Tess' witnessed something she never thought she'd ever come to see before: Gano in his dishevelved state broke down completely and cried "Gano" she bent down to comfort him, touching him gently on the shoulder "What's wrong?" Gano shook his head furiously, suddenly he was too afraid to speak.

 "Gano, this isn't the first time...this isn't the first time I've been shown a peek into your dreams. I'm..I'm just as scared as you are. You owe it to me to at least explain." Gano's lip quivered and the sand he attempted to grab slipped through his hand as drew a deep breath and found it in him to speak "This..is a realm that only exists between reality and dreams." Tess' went from scared to confused, not picking up on what he was trying to hint at and say "The me and you here, are the me and you that only exist in the fringe of our subconscious-a figment of our twisted reality and dreams-our minds will remember nothing from this encounter, but it'll leave a permanent imprint on our souls." Tess grabbed Gano's shoulder and forced him to look her in the eye as Emerald Green stared into Sky Blue "The faint of heart and mortal of mind rarely reach the realm in between dreams. Tess you're...Tess you're....Tess...your'e..."

"Gano! Gano! Ganooooo" Tess gently shook the green-haired man as she checked the time on her phone "I can't believe he's still sleeping in this fucking late." she paced back and forth rubbing her temple in frustration "It's gotta be something I can use to wake up this flake" she muttered aloud to herself "Ah! There we go!" she eyed the frying pan with a mischievous grin "Worked with Douglas and Aunt Rain-enter Gano and Tess." stars were in her eyes as salivated at the prospect "I don't use this one for cooking." she picked out the black one she only used on holidays for eggs "Hey bata bata. Hey bata bata. Hey bata bata. Swing!" she practiced before lining up target and getting ready to swing 'Gano I'm sorry. This gonna hurt you a lot more than you're going to hurt my grade by causing me to be late.' "HA!" Tess swing the frying pan at the catatonic figure lying under the covers, but in end the one shocked and surprised by ensuing events were her

"TESS YOU'RE THE ONE I'M SUPPOSED TO SAVE!" Gano shouted as he woke up in a jolt "WHAT ARE YOU GOING ON ABOUT WEIRDO! PUT ME DOWN!!" Immediately looking up, blood trickled down his nose as the frying pan and Tess in all her  sun dressed  glory floated mid-air. Whether it was the blood loss or the sight of undergarments first thing opening his eyes that caused him to lose concentrate would never be known, but as Tess fell on top of Gano in a heap and pile, and an immediate argument ensued, the week started of with several filed noise complaints "GANO" a loud smack was heard throughout the apartment hall "GO BACK TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE YOU JERK!"