A/N I skipped the last chapter, because... Well I'm not sure why. But, I'll let you know what happened in Melanie's POV. Don't worry, nothing too big happened.

Melanie's POV

I gripped my sword, staring at Michi. 

She's so dead.

Wait until I get my hands on her.

Why not do it now?

Aphmau and Laurence are watching. If I hurt her right now, they'll notice something's up.

Hm. Nice thinking.

Your just saying that because technically, you're my thoughts.

True.

I mentally groaned, catching up to Aphmau and Laurence. Michi was on the floor, looking as if she was about to pass out any second.

"Why are you on the floor?!" I cried.

"M-M-Michi~Chan is soooo tired!" She whined. Aphmau was frowning, her hands balled up in fists.

"You should've thought about that before kidnapping my sons." Aphmau growled. Michi whined.

"P-Please... I'm tired...!" Michi cried. I glared at her.

"You're tired!?" I scoffed. "I swear if you've been leading us in circles--!"

"I haven't! I-It's just farther from Meteli! Nya!" 

"I don't believe you at all! If anything, I should just--!" I yelled, reaching for my sword.

Someone pushed me up against the wall.

"Melanie!" Laurence cried. I blinked.

"L-Laurence, why--?!"

"The Melanie I know wouldn't get mad or hurt anyone that easily." Laurence said.

Dang it. He's onto us.

I've got this.

"Laurence, I'm doing what I need to do." I assured. He frowned slightly.

"This doesn't have anything to do with Garroth, does it?" He asked. I gulped.

"No." I said. Laurence bit his lip.

"Melanie, ever since you went missing when we found Travis, you've been acting... Different. Did something happen?" He asked. I shook my head frantically.

"No! Nothing happened!" I said. Laurence sighed.

"Alright, I believe you." He said. I sighed, relieved.

"GUYS SHES GETTING AWAY!" Aphmau cried from behind him.

Laurence turned and ran to Michi, grabbing her hand and pulling her down to the ground. She hit the forest floor, facing the ground.

"Not so fast... Running away, huh? A coward move." Aphmau said, shaking her head. 

"It got him to hold my hand, didn't it?" She asked. I glared at her, but could feel Laurence's worried glance my way.

"Come on. Ditch the blonde and get with a cutie like me!" Michi said. I started to extend my hand so I could use my magicks against her, but I worried about Laurence and Aphmau watching, so I stopped.

^-^

A while later, Laurence and I were throwing eggs at the bandits. I couldn't help but remember Garroth, and how we did the same thing back in Pikoro Village.

"Melanie, you ok?" I snapped out of my daze. We had already outrun the bandits, and were catching our breath.

"I'm fine..." I mumbled.

A pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, and I smiled when I recongnized Laurence's voice whispering into my ear.

" I know you're thinking about Garroth. I miss him too. He was like my brother, and I can only imagine how you feel, especially since he really was your brother." Laurence said. I felt tears slip out of my eyes.

"I just miss him so much." I whispered. Laurence rocked me from side to side, whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

Maybe I don't need darkness. Maybe all I need is love to keep me going.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kiera, and her frown. 

You idiot.

What?

Don't give into love. That won't help.

How would you know? All you've been teaching me is how the darkness works better. What's wrong with love?

Duh. There's so much that could go wrong when relying on love. Heck, if it weren't for darkness, Laurence wouldn't be caressing you like that.

...

He wouldn't love you at all. Heck, he'd HATE you. Be honest.

I'm just gonna ignore you.

Good luck. I'm here to stay.

A/N Hey guys! How is your day?