Kai's heart was pounding so hard he thought his chest would explode before Moon could even get to him. He didn't know whether or not he would have preferred that over death by Moon's hand.

"We're not going to die," Linda said sharply, out loud, to everyone, facing them. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and she was frowning so hard that Kai figured she wasn't scared at all. But the trembling of her clenched fists betrayed that she was actually nervous about the battle to come. 

"We're not," she repeated, her tone softer. She trailed her eyes along all of them, meeting each set of eyes and taking a deep breath. "We're going to defeat her and our world is going to remain untouched. We will win." 

"Don't be shy, little puppets," Moon's voice crooned from outside. "Please, join me. I am very eager to see you all again, especially the man who decided to steal from me." Her voice dropped into a deadly tone, and Kai noticed Zeke square his shoulders nervously. 

Kai's hands were shaking so hard that he was nervous he wouldn't be able to fight, but Abby reached over and clutched his right hand, reassuring him as much as she could. Her hands were trembling as well, and he squeezed gently. 

Chase locked eyes with Linda for a moment, and Kai realized she was speaking to him in his mind. He didn't know what they were talking about, but he figured it had something to do with what they were going to do next. 

"Chase, don't be stupid," Linda said out loud, jabbing her finger into his chest. "That's an idiot idea. What will we do while you're stupidly being a distraction?" 

"Destroy it," Chase said in a flat tone, gesturing to her pocket. "You all will stay in here and destory it, break it to pieces and if you have to, flush it down the toilet." 

Zeke gave Chase a confused frown, but thankfully didn't object. He crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his hands under his arms and frowning harshly at the door. 

"Chase..." Abby started, and he turned toward her with a frown. 

"No, Abby," he interrupted her. "Really, what else can we do? Moon will stop at nothing to get to that key. Stay in here while I distract her and help Dad. Destory it while you still can. Please," he added in a broken voice, turning towards Linda again. "Please, guys. This is the only chance we have. We can't let her have it." 

"You'll definitely need back-up, kid," Ezekiel piped up roughly. "You seem like a good fighter, but this woman seems to know what she's doing." 

"No," Linda said, turning toward him. "We hardly know you. We can't risk your life." 

"What if I'm offering?" Zeke spat back. 

"What if you already said you don't want anything to do with Darks?" Linda relaliated, putting her fists on her hips. 

"I'm helping you as much as I can," Zeke retorted. "You've already brought her here. I might as well join you." 

"Zeke, I can't ask you to do this," Linda said in a softer tone.

"You're not asking me," Zeke said with an indifferent shrug. "I'm the one volunteering. She seems dangerous. Let's just say you all convinced me. I want to fight for what I know." 

Linda didn't reply, but Kai could tell she was secretly grateful for Ezekiel's help. He'd singlehandedly taken down Kai (that wasn't saying too much, but Kai was a Dark, so he could have fought back.), which seemed like enough proof to show that he was a good match. 

Chase took a long, deep breath and turned toward the door. He spread his legs and touched the doorknob with his right hand. His white hair slipped from behind his ears and framed his face, shielding his expression from Kai. 

Abby's grip tightened around Kai's hand, and he squeezed back. He was frozen - he couldn't move to stop Chase. He didn't want Chase to go out there at all, let alone the fact that Zeke was going with him. He'd seen what Moon could do. She could take them both out with a simple touch. 

But, his mind reminded him, she would be focusing on them. She would be in their minds, tormenting them. She wouldn't waste her time on playing with them when she has a job to do. This lifted his hopes a little more, but he was still very nervous about what was to come. 

Zeke moved to take place behind Chase, and the teenager glanced back at him in a moment of silent understanding. Then he turned toward the door again, turned the handle, and burst outside. 

Ezekiel was right behind him, but he was short enough that Kai, for a heart-wrenching moment, caught sight of what was outside. 

Moon was standing in front of the steps, on the sidewalk that led to the front door, the one that Chase and Zeke had just charged out of. She was wearing tight, tactical black leather jeans, a white undershirt that was tucked into the pants, and combat books that crawled up to her shins with metal buckles. Her hip was cocked and one hand was resting on it, while in her other hand tightly gripped a rope of chains. The chains fell and slithered onto the ground, sliding along the sidewalk and snaking into the lawn beside the concrete. The chains were connected to wrists - Shintaro's wrists. Shintaro was on his knees beside Moon, looking exhausted, thinner than usual, and beat. His clothes were slightly ripped around the sleeves and knees, as if he'd been running through thorns. His hair was tangled and falling in front of his face, but he was holding his head up. His face was just visible behind his hair, and his expression was one of shock. 

It took Kai a moment to realize that there was more than one person beside Moon. Kai's heart flipped in fright when he spotted his father, standing obediently next to Moon with a frown on his face. If he moved, a blade of Darkness would puncture his neck. Komakii was standing braced beside him, but he was trapped motionless as well with a knife at his throat. 

Kai lunged forward with a cry of terror and anxiety. No, no, no! She can't hurt him! He can't die! Not Dad! 

Chase and Zeke advanced towards Moon, and Kai's view was obscured.

Gabriel's outstretched arm slammed into his chest, throwing Kai backward. He gasped and gasped again, wobbling on his feet. As soon as he regained his balance, he charged forward again with another cry. He wouldn't let Falte get hurt! 

"Kai, no!" Gabriel yelled, stepping into his path and pushing his hands into Kai's chest again. "We agreed to let those two go out there, not you. Moon hates you! You're a rebel Dark. Do you think she'll let you live? You're a disgrace to their people! She will kill you to flush out the hope of other Darks that wish to be good like you." 

"NO!" Kai screamed in sheer terror and anger. He lifted his right arm and put all his force into it, swiping it into Gabriel's forearms and sending the older boy tumbling sideways. He sprang toward the door again, tears of horror filling his eyes and blurring his vision. 

"No, Kai, STOP!" Linda cried, and the door suddenly slammed closed, the lock turning and sealing the door shut. "You can't go out there! Gabriel is right - there's no way she'll hesitate to kill you. No one is dying, Kai, not on my watch!" 

"NO!" Kai screeched again, fumbling with the lock on the door handle. He felt firm hands grab his wrists and yank them behind him, and he screamed louder. "Linda, let me out! You don't understand! My father is out there! I can't let her hurt him! He can't be out there! I won't let her - He can't - She can't -" His voice broke, and he gave up trying to give an explanation. He couldn't see through the blurriness of his tears, but he yanked his hands forward in attempt to slip away from Linda's grasp. 

Teleportation, you dolt, Kai's brain screamed at him. They can't stop you if you teleport! 

Taking huge gulps of air, Kai squeezed his eyes shut, sending a tear from each eye sliding down his cheeks. He clenched his hands and envisioned himself standing outside next to his father, reaching for the blade. 

The pressure on his wrists disappeared. 

~

I LOVE 

LOVE 

LOVE

LOVE

LOOOOOVE

Leaving y'all with horrible and awesome cliffhangersssssss-

You're welcome, my wonderful followers >:) 

I bet you're seriously mad at me right now XDXD

Well, thanks for reading! Hopefully the next chapter will be out soon! Possibly tonight, but if not, sometime during the week unless something comes up. Thank you again!

P3ac3!~~~ 

(Oh, I'm so doing that from now on XD)