I am about to question this strange man, when a knocking interrupts us. “Come in,” Duncan calls.

In walks a shorter man with brown swish hair. “Hello.”

“Hey, Chris. Have you heard the good news?”

“Yeah, didn’t know Lewis very long before he left,” Chris explains, “And Smith and Ross can fill me in later. Figured you two were up to something. Nice to meet ya, by the way. Chris Trott.”

He holds his hand out to shake and I can’t help but wonder where I’ve heard that name before. “Hello, I’m Ridgedog, or Ridge for short. Nice to meet you as well.” Then it hits me. “Trottimus.”

“Um, sorry?” Both Chris and Duncan ask.

“This guy, erm, walrus, back home goes by the name Trottimus. Which is like your name, Trott.”

Chris looks slightly confused, Duncan throwing him a meaningful look that wipes his face clean. “Sometimes people call me Trott. My username for stuff is usually Trottimus.”

“Chris, I think we might have to get Ross in here as well. We will have to talk later. Lets go see how everyone else is.” Duncan and Chris start heading for the door.

“Wait, I’m lost. Care to explain?” I follow them into the hallway.

“Later,” Duncan whispers to me.

We head back into the common room to see Xephos sitting snugly under Simon’s arm. I force a smile and go sit on the couch again.

“Hullo,” I nod at the two new members to our group.

“Ridge, this is Ross,” He points to a man with short dark hair. “And Alex Smith, but he just goes by Smith or Smiffy.” He points to a taller ginger haired man with a beard.

“Nice to meet ya, mate.” The taller one says.

“Good day,” The shorter of the two nudges Chris, who doesn’t turn to acknowledge the man until people are chatting again about what’s been going on. Then a hand goes up to Chris’ mouth and I watch Ross nod.

“Ridge? Everything alright, honey?” Xephos whispers in my ear.

“Yeah, Duncans a cool dude.” Xeph leans against my arm.

“Yea,” He starts to trail his fingers up and down my thigh. I rub circles into his shoulder.

“So, Ridge, how long have you and Lewis been together?”

“Five years today. Or yesterday, depending on our time difference.”

Everyone makes the appropriate noises. “Yea - congrats.” Simon doesn’t sound at all happy for us like the rest did.

We continue talking, people making their way out until it is only Duncan, Simon, and the men that go by HAT left.

“Ya know, I think we should follow Lewis’ lead.” I look down and see Xephos asleep.

I smile and kiss his forehead. “Sounds good to me.”

“Uh, we don’t have any extra beds for you two. I guess you can sleep on the couch, or you can crash in my room, Ridge.” Duncan offers.

“We could carry Lewis into my room. My bed could fit both of us, easily. If you don’t wanna sleep with Duncan. I wouldn’t blame you, no one likes him.” I see what he is trying to do.

“Xeph- erm- Lewis can sleep on the couch. I’ll figure something out.” Simon nods, and I can tell he isn’t happy.

“A’ight. ‘Night, everyone.” He storms off.

“I can get these two situated, if you guys wanna head to bed.”

The one they call Smith nods and waves. The other two hesitate, leaving only after Duncan nods at them.

I get up and maneuver Lewis so he is laying on the couch. I lay the blanket Duncan hands me over him and turn back.

“So. . .?” I trail off, questioning.

“Where are you planning on sleeping? I won’t mind either way.”

I shrug. “Would you mind if I slept with you?”

“Well, as long as Lewis won’t get mad at me, and you won’t hold me responsible when he gets mad at you sleeping around. . .”

I just stare.

“Sorry, bad joke. But yea, that’s fine with me. If you wanna,” He gestures at Lewis. “I’ll meet you in my room.”

I chuckle, watching him leave the room. I kneel down beside Lewis and place a kiss to his forehead.

I write him a note:

Morning, sleepy head! You fell asleep last night on me so we tucked you in here. I’m staying with Duncan in his room, so if you need me that’s where I’ll be.

Love, Ridgedog.

I kiss him again and head for Duncan’s room. I knock once before entering.

“Come in,” Duncan turns to me.

“So when are we going to continue our conversation from earlier? What do you mean, not on earth?”

“You already told him?” I spin around to find the dark haired HAT member standing just inside Duncan’s room.

“Could you be a little bit louder, please? Come in, shut the door.” I look from one to another, waiting for someone to start explaining. “Does Smiffy know you’re gone?”

“He’s a bit. . .busy, mate.” I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh.

“Thanks for that, Ross. Really wanted that image in my head.” Ross comes and sits down across the room from Duncan and I.

“You wanna explain?” Ross shakes his head. “Alright. Ridge, you can’t tell Lewis about this. Not until we figure some of this stuff out.”

“Uh, sure? But why are you telling me this?”

“Well, you can leave this place, for one. Two, you somehow made it here, instead of earth.”

“Where are we, if we aren’t on Earth? And how do you know that we aren’t on Earth?”

“The first one. . .we can’t really answer.” Ross shrugs. “Some alternate universe.”

“The second one, Trott went exploring one day and found that if you travel too far away from Bristol, the world just. . .ends. Like how way back when people thought Christopher Columbus was just going to fall off the edge of the world. He came back and he told Ross. The only reason I know is I over heard them. Why they don’t tell Smiffy, well if he knew he would act out, telling everyone and suggesting that we throw someone over the edge to see what happens.”

I sit there, trying to process everything. When we landed, we never saw the world just end. We could see for kilometers in any direction. And how did we end up here? This isn’t the first time I’ve traveled to Earth. I came here once before, not long after first meeting Lewis. Then I had landed in a place they called New York, and the people were very rude. (I’m American, I can say this. xD)

“How would I have ended up here, then? And what do you expect me to do? I’m just a-”

What am I? I’m an immortal being, but do I tell them that? Lewis isn’t immortal, so I doubt they are. How will they react?

“I’m. . .I’m actually immortal.” I look up, expecting them to be shocked.

“Yea mate, and I’m a werewolf.” Ross jokes.

I frown. This is too weird. Djh3max, or Dj for short, is a werewolf. And he looks strikingly similar to this man sitting across from me. What an odd thing to say.

“Why a werewolf?” I ask. Maybe he knows more than he is letting on.

“Don’t know, mate. Just came out.” He shrugs.

I take a deep breath. Do I tell them about how they remind me of people on my planet? They already know about Trottimus, why not tell them everything?

“Here’s the thing. . .”