Unknown Thirds blog

We were flying ahead, making sure it was clear of any Specials. I flew like Superman, if you will, with Cati on my back with a special blanket wrapped around her so it made her to invisible.

"Third?" she asked. We hadn't spoken for several hours, other then to report back to Lith. We recently found out she had fallen asleep. She did really need it… with those wounds… my train of thought trailed off as Cati started playing with my hair.

I wore goggles when she did not. Her night vision was better then mine naturally, but nearly as good as Lith and Darvire’s. It was near dawn anyway. The horizon was red with light.

"Hm?"

"What does your face look like?"

"You'll find out later," was my automatic response. My eyes flickered over the landscape, searching for ill hidden foes.

"Why don't you want me to see it? Is it ugly? I don't think it is..."

I chuckled, "No. It’s not that..." I sighed. "It’s... complicated."

Cati huffed. "Well, it can't be more complicated then the situation we are in now. Let’s recap, shall we? First, we capture a rouge vampire, hailing from a rebel group, to only find out he knew Lith and Tied with her, which I still find mind boggling because it took years for me and Lith to Tie. Then, Lith suddenly wants to become a Traitor, and just DITCH the Specials, just to help out this guy. Lith get's seriously hurt, and then we find out Darvire is some serious, highly dangerous royal vampire—that he’s from a whole different RACE. In the process we're dragged into it, getting deeper and deeper into this thing, and finding out that this organization is bigger then the Speicals thought to believe. Now we're on the run of our lives from the whole Specials gang, meeting up with people we don't even know. If that ain't complicated to you... then I don't know what is!"
I lifted the goggles and I rubbed my tired eyes. "Oh... fine. I trust you."

"Well, heck yeah you should."
"Where's Lith and Darvire?"
"Some many miles behind. Like 50 or so. Closing on 45. geez that guy can move fast." she tightened her grip she had around my neck. "What are you planning to do?"

"Just finding a spot..."

It was then a sudden flock of birds flew up from a tree below, into us, squawking.
Cati cursed. "What was that for?" she said after the flurry of feathers had passed us "Don't birds usually SLEEP at night?"
I nodded, suddenly worried. "Yeah."
A vicious screech filled the air.
"What—?!" Cati started.
Two figures, tinted green from the goggles, flew up out of the trees, cawing, screeching, and hissing.
"The Harpies!!!!" I yelled.

The Harpies were a set of girl twins, Mea and Lea, granted with the power to fly... with a set back. Their arms grew feathers, becoming wings, their voices scratchy and bird like, and their lower legs changed into bird legs. The Mistress took them in, and made them wild women fighters with scary sharp claws coming out of their wings and feet. Deadly beauties that fought from the sky. They had to live off Special campus, guarding the surrounding area because of their blood thirsty demeanor made them a threat to their colleagues. Both had pall skin, and green and brown feathers that covered their arms, chest, and thighs. Tattered, has-been skirts were wrapped around their waists. Both had luminescent green eyes, long, preened, brown hair, and mouths filled with razor sharp teeth.

"Awe man! Can’t they ever take a break?!" Cati groaned angrily. It was scary angry too, like she was ready to rip off their mutated heads. Unexpectedly she leapt off my back and at the nearest sister. "DIE YOU UGLY DUCKLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she screeched, pounding at her head with a fury of fists. The Harpy retaliated my hissing and trying to claw at her face. They plummeted to the ground, through trees and branches as the sister was unable to fly when fighting with a Cati on them.

"CATI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed. I started to dive after them when the second sister slashed at my face, nicking my chin. She swooped out of view, to crash into my back, making me dip toward the trees. I yelled and lashed out at her. She swerved out of view, to kick me in the side. I need to get an advantage! So I shot straight up into the night sky to spot the flying devil. The Harpy looked around, confused. I took out my sword and dove. She saw me at last second and shot out of the way. I managed to hit her side. She screamed and shot at me, talons slashing. I parried her clawed hands and tried to finish her off.

Now don't get me wrong; after the Specials, I was done with killing things... but when you're in the fight of your life for you and other.... you just have to make those kinds of decisions. Almost like dog-eat-dog, but more like, if one of has to die, it’s going to be you.

I swooped below the Harpy. She turned and dove at me. I quickly flew to the side, slashing my sword at her as she passed. And succeeded. She screamed the most awful scream I've heard in ages as I took off her hand. It was like someone dragging finger nails across your eardrum. I took the advantage of her pain to cry a battle yell and take the finishing blow. I hit a spot that I knew would kill her instantly, her lifeless body fell towards the earth, hitting of what seemed every branch possible, nor the thud her body made as it hit the ground.

The ground.

Cati.

Oh. My. Gosh.

"CATI!" I exclaimed and took a nose dive towards the ground. I stumbled as I touched down. "Oh, Cati, Cati, Cati… Where are you?!" I looked frantically around, looking for the bodies... NO. not Cati's, the Harpy bodies... Cati wasn't dead--she couldn't be dead... "Oh no… no… no!" I moaned when, in the goggles, I saw a lump of what looked like a body in underbrush. I swept the bush away.

It was only a log.

“Cati…”

Abruptly, something tackled me from the side and held me to the ground. I was about to attack it when I realized it was sobbing into my usable chest. “Stupid, stupid boy!” she said, “why are you invisible?! Why?!” she was hysterical with sobs. “When I saw that body falling, I thought it was you, and how I would never see you visible and alive… you stupid boy!” The next words were too chocked up in her cries. I too, realized, I was crying, if silently. I discarded my goggles. I clutched Cati close and just laid there with her, savoring the sent of her hair, and the dip of her body as she clutched to me. I thought I had lost her, and now I realized that is how much I care for her and her for me, even if she couldn’t see me. How I would miss her if anything happened to me. How much it would hurt both of us.

If one of us were to die, she would deserve to see me how I truly am before that to happen. I thought with a big huge suck up of shame and misery.

Slowly after the tears subsided, I quietly asked, "Cati?"

“Yes?” She hiccuped.

“I think you surely, truly deserve, with out a doubt, to see me un-invisible. If one of us were to… you know—happen like something similar to tonight… I just want you to remember what I looked like…” I took a breath, “I’m just… afraid…”

Cati kissed my cheek. “The worse I can do is laugh. You’re an idiot to think I’ll drop you like a sack of potatoes if you have a birth mark the shape of a pineapple on the middle of your forehead or something. Don’t you think I already like you for who YOU are? If I was in it for looks, you’d been a goner.” I looked down at her beautiful face glowing in the moon light, the streams of ceased tears still twinkled on her face, and at those beautiful blue eyes searching for my own. I caressed her check with the inside of my hand. Her face softened and leaned her head into my palm.

I didn’t deserve her. But yet she chose me…

Cati’s eyes widened, put both hands on the ground beside me, and leaned back to look at it to get a better look. Slowly, pigments of my skin started to appear; like a liquid filling in an unseen container. My hand gradually filled out. The color drifted, making out my wrist, then the black sleeve with silver lining, moving up my arm, to my shoulder, then down my side, reviling my chest and waist covered in my combat suit, then thighs, legs feet, moving back to the other side of me; back to the other arm, hand. The black color moved into a skin color as it reached my neck, to the back of my head, uncovering the color of my hair, and slowly filled out my face, from the sides towards the nose.

Before I even finished, Cati grabbed my head with her hands, and pressed her lips against mine for a short wile. Crying to hard to do much more then that.

When she let go, she pulled me into a hug. “Thank you…” She whispered into my ear. She kissed below the lobe of my ear, then said, “Thank you thank you thank you…”

She was crying again, but I’m pretty sure it was for a different reason.

Lith's Blog

We were making good time, or so Darvire told me.

It had been 6 hours since we left. Cati was flying with Unknown Third, and Darvire was carrying me. They were scouting a head. The landscape flitted in and out of my darkened view as he traveled through the shadows of the forest. It was an odd sensation; the feeling of your whole body dissolving like sand through your fingers, to regather its self just as quickly was scary and thrilling at the same time. Every time he did that, my body would go all tingly.

Darvire still did not say where he was taking us, and who he was taking us too. Just that we'll see when we get there. You could tell that Cati and Unknown Third did not find this as a satisfying answer. I think I was still a little goofy from the loss of blood and didn't really care to take notice that I was rather really exasperated too.

"Can you tell me now where we're going, who we're meeting, and what we're going to do when we get there??" I asked for the umpteenth time.

"Some where very secret, some people who's identities are classified, and we'll figure that out when we get there."

I sighed. "Ooookay... If you saaaaaaaaaaaay soooooooooooooo."

"Better get some sleep, you." He said. "You're a little loopy."

"And wake up to find that I missed the secret place, and those secret people, and what we decided to do?" I huffed. "I don't think so."

"Awe, come on... Do you really think I'll let you miss out all the fun?"

"Well, no..."

"Then go to sleep, I'll wake you up when we get there... or do I have to start singing again?"

That tore me; hearing his marvelous voice, but feeling that empty place in my heart, or trying to fall asleep, but being too jittery? It took me a moment. I wanted to find out why I had that empty feeling, and the only way for me to do that was to hear that song again.

"How bout a song?"

"Are you sure?" You could hear his concern. He must know how much the song hurts me...
I nodded into his chest. "Yes." I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the sorrow.

He started soft again, and I felt the calm melodies ripping the hole in my heart open again. It was like a bullet going right through.
I fought desperately to stay awake, but it was useless; my eyes drooped, my breathing calmed, and my heart slowed to the beats of the song. Before I passed out, one person entered my head, and this person I hadn't thought of for years...

Dad?!

Cati's blog.

Darvire looked over at Lith, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Because we need you. All of you. I was sent to all of you by the Angelias, we recently made a discovery... About you, Lith."

I looked over at Lith, who's eyes had gone HUGE in shock. So did mine, but to a lesser degree. Lith had always had something special going on with her, it wasn't as big of a shock to me that someone else had noticed her abilities.

"And what," I asked "Did you discover about her?"
Darvire's eyes flashed over to me, he reached up to his mouth and put his index finger on it tapping it slightly.
It really made me want to punch him, but I'm sure that I'd get hit right back, plus have Lith on me for doing it.
"Well," he said slowly, knowing that I was waiting and that he was pushing my buttons my MAKING me wait. He chuckled, "We think that Lith might be our prodigy child that we've been waiting for."

"WHAT?!?!?" Lith, Third and I all asked at once.

Darvire, obviously pleased that all the attention was on him, leaned back casually and stretched his feet out by the fire.

"How could you make that assumption about her?" Third asked. "This is the first time we've ever met you, have your people been spying on us or something?" I could feel confusion and shock emitting of him slightly, but only because I was sitting so close to him...

"I will answer all your questions while we're going to the meeting point." Darvire said as he stood up, brushing himself off. "But we've been staying in one place for too long, I don't want The Mistress finding us anytime soon. Not while I've gotten this far with all of you."
He bent down and picked up Lith, and gently placed her on her feet. Her eyes lit up at any kind of touch from him.

"Okay" I said standing up, I don't need some stupid man to help me up... I thought. And right then I felt Thirds hand in mine helping me the rest of the way.

Why does he have to be so... sweet?

I smiled in his general direction, then looked over towards where Lith and Darvire were standing.
"Alright," I said, sighing, "I'm not going freaking anywhere until YOU," I pointed at Darvire, "Give us a general idea as to what we're walking into."

Darvire looked up, he was already stuffing the remainder of the food into a backpack type thing.
"I already told you that I will. When we're on the road to the meeting point."
Lith looked totally lost, she was hobbling around trying to be of help. But I could tell that the recent news of her being some kinda of prodigy child threw her off.

It threw us all off.

So now this little stuffy vampire expected us to all pack our bags and not as him any questions after THAT?

I don't think so.

I walked up to Darvire who was still grabbing things and stuffing them in the backpack.
I stuck one of my pointy toed leather boots up on it, and placed my hands on my hips.
He glared up at me.
"Darvire," I said glaring back,"We need to know a little more than that before we go off on some adventure with you. Fess up."
Darvire stood up, his intense gaze set on me. "Okay," He said, "Some of our people have strong reason to believe that Lith could very well be the the savior of our planet."

Third, who had been examining Lith's wounds (the reason I knew is because she was standing still... and there were plastic gloves hovering in the air around her), asked: "How did they make that conclusion?"
Darvire grinned, bent down and started packing again as he spoke, "Now that, I will tell you on out way to meet my people. But its not just Lith that we need, sure, she's the main component in this whole thing, but we also need you, Unknown Third, and you, Cati."

If Lith's so amazing, why would she need us? I thought.
"What do we have to do with this?" Third asked. Piratically saying just what I was thinking.

"You both will be needed in the future."

"So what?" I said, a little mad, my hands going to my hips, never a good sign, "The only reason that you brought me and Third into this was because you knew that you couldn't get Lith with us in the way?"

"I-" Darvire began, but I cut him off.

"Well, since she seems to like you SO MUCH. And you obviously don't need me and Third anymore, why don't was just LEAVE???"
Lith walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, I shook it off.
"We do need you guys," She said sweetly and sincerely, but looked hurt, "I can't go without you, I need both of you."

Third had walked over, pulling me closer to him. "Calm down Cati..." He whispered in my ear. It helped... a little.

Lith eyed me.
I eyed her back.

"Okay," Darvire said, pulling a back pack on. "We seriously need to go. I promise to tell you all what's going on as soon as I can. But right now we need to leave. We're putting ourselves in serious danger just standing here."

I looked around. Everything was packed. Not that we had a lot to begin with, but still. The cave was perfectly clean of any trace that we'd been there.
I looked up at Darvire who was handing Third the last backpack.
"How did you-?"
"Us vampires are very quick when we want to be. Lets just leave it at that."

Lith smiled. Darvire smiled back...
"Alright, can you guys just stop drooling over each other? Lets just go." I said, walking out of the cave.

And that my friends, were the first steps I took to the greatest adventure of my life.

Lith's Blog

Darvire leaned forward, shadowing his face slightly in the fire making him more ghostly. His voice was animated, "You must know that vampire's are hard to catch. But you never knew why." He grinned impishly and chuckled in a way that was not funny.

"No one knows our secret, and the ones that did... well... they're not around to snitch about it. Its a special... ability, that only my line of family can do. And no other line of vampire's can."

"What makes your family so special?" Cati asked with scorn.

"Ah, so you wish to know?" He grinned again. All of us noticed his teeth this time. The second pair of fangs were even more spookish in the fire light. "These," He motioned to his fangs, "are what marks us as the Vampire. We are considered royal among our kin. Honored in every way, and ones to be feared and despised."

"Would you stop talking in riddles," Cati sighed impatiently, "and just get to your freaking point?!"

"And ruin the story?" Darvire shook his head, "I think not. It gets better...

"My family is the first line to ever existed in this world. We are the first. We will be the last."

Unknown Third exclaimed, "But that's impossible! There are no prominent races in the vampire line! They all are--if you excuse me--lifeless, ageless, beastly strong, blood suckers!" If I could of seen his eyes, they would of been popping out of his head.

Darvire's grin halted. "You better not wish to get on the wrong side of me. This may come as a shock, but I am as alive as you are right now. My family is actually a family: I was born out of the womb of my mother--the same for all my siblings--as a stronger, more powerful, mortal, blood sucker."

"Yo-your... mortal?" I stammered, shocked at this new founded information.

Darvire nodded. "We may live longer then a regular human, but we all die, one time or another." To my surprise, he took my good hand and placed it on his ice cold neck. "Feel anything?"

My reaction was almost immediate."No--wait..." I stared at Darvire, "You... you have... a heart beat?"

A shy smile crept along his face. "Yes. I do. That is why we are despised. We still live when we were born dead."

"So everyone from your family... is born a vampire?" Cati asked, disgust shadowed her voice.

"Yes."

"Ugh..." she muttered under her breath. "No wonder they're..."

Fury spread across his face like a wild fire. Darvire suddenly leaned back away from the fire, into the shadows, where he disappeared...

To suddenly appear behind Cati, a hand clasped over her mouth. "Despise me all you want, but remember that I could kill you all before you even knew you were dead. Every word, action, or thought could be your last." He hissed into her ear, his eyes grey.

Cati's eyes narrowed, but before she could attack him, he disappeared again, and appeared next to me the second later. Unknown Third and I both gasped. Cati was starring daggers.

Unknown Third had gasped because of the disappearnces.

I did for different reasons.

I saw through the shadows.

It was just like on my Blessing night. When Darvire left my room. The little version of him stepped into the shadows that I could now see through, and disappeared through a thicker fog. But it was now I realized what he had done--what he could do.

And it made me shiver. He let us capture him when he could of killed us all.

Imagene what his whole family could do to us...

"Then..." I hesitated, "why haven't you killed us yet?"

Unknown Thirds blog

Darvire really shouldn't have said that... But unfortunately, it was true. Who knew what kind of vampire he actually was. He would be a useful ally... but someone else had something on their minds...

Cati was instantly in his face for that one. Literally inches from his face.
"And you'd better not EVER mess with me, Vampire boy." She said icily, "I'll back off with the killing remarks, if you back off of my friend's body RIGHT. NOW." She looked almost as scary as Darvire as she said this (I say almost because she lacked the fangs... all four of them...), her face two inches from Darvire's then.

"Fine." Darvire said with the same iciness as Cati, "But I'll be there for her the next time you fail to save her."

Right then I grabbed Cati around the waist to restrain her, and put my hand over her mouth in an instant. She kicked...

And almost bit me...

"Cati, don't be mad at him okay?" Lith said turning her gaze away from Darvire, "He didn't mean that in that way... maybe you should go outside for a minute..."
Cati got my hand off her mouth and managed to glare at Lith and say--as I was dragging her out--,
"Maybe you should stop trusting things over your friends." She said that with so much venom I almost winced.

Darvire almost pounced on her. Lith gently touched him with her good hand and rolled her eyes at Cati.
I flew Cati out then.
We flew about a mile out from the camp, it took me about half a minute to get back, and landed in a small clearing. The surronding trees were covered in early morning dew and the sun was just coming up, making everything almost sparkle.

I gently put Cati down, she looked up at me--as well as she could--, her eyes blazing a black/red. That only happened when she was really mad.

For those of you who don't know, Cati's eye color changes color with her mood... that is if the mood is strong enough to change them.

"Cati," I said softly. "Calm down, its okay. He didn't mean what he said-"
"How could you possibly know that?" She snapped.
I didn't say anything for a moment, Cati never talked to me like that.
Her eyes then turned a soft blue, and got really glassy.
I instantly gathered her into my arms, and I just held her for a couple minutes. She never cried, she never does, but this was the closest I've ever seen her to crying.
"She's replacing me with it." Cati mumbled into my chest, "I can't believe that with all the years that we known each other, she'd choose it over me in an instant."
"No, no, no sweetie." I said to her softly, "She loves you like a sister, she'd never do that to you.
We've both had a long day, and I think everyone is a little edgy from this day, we all need a good night's sleep to put things into perspective."
"Mmph," Was all I heard as a reply.
I waited a couple more minutes, then asked her if she was ready to go back to the cave and figure out what to do next.
She removed her face from my chest, blew out and said,
"Yes, I'm ready. Thanks for taking me out here Third, I don't know how that would have ended..."
"Anytime." I said, and pecked her on the lips.
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, I smiled,--but she couldn't see it-- and picked her up.
And we headed back to the cave.

We walked back into the cave, and surprisingly, Lith was sitting upright, munching on something having a conversation with Darvire.

"Hello." I said to them, in a tone that said, 'don't worry, I fixed it'
"Hello!" Lith said in her high pitched happy tone, "Is everything okay now?... Cati?"
"Peachy." Was all she said.
"We're ready to figure out what to do next." I sat down by the fire, Cati stayed standing, crossing her arms. "Darvire?" I continued, "Your the one that got us into all this, there has to be a reason behind it. Can you explain to us why you let us capture you?" I asked,
"What?"
Cati asked quickly in surprise, her arms no longer crossed, so I gently grabbed Cati's hand and pulling her down against me. She didn't expect that (Or what I had just said), and half tripped down next to me, almost falling into the fire.
Lith giggled, Darvire eyed us, Cati glared at him.
"Well," Darvire said grinning, glad to be able to reveal his secret, "I'll have to start from the beginning of my mission..."

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

Fainting is just not my thing... I thought as I knew I was somewhat coming around. I was still unconscious... but still in some state of mind where I didn't know what was going on.
I wasn't exactly prepared for Darvire to knock me out with his voice either... I hadn't known they could do that. I didn't know he could do that.

But now that I was somewhat conscious... but not, I felt pain. Maybe not as painful as before. But it was still pain pain. And then when you know you're near awaking, you wake up. I hate that. Wait... did I? Back to being a Special, when waking up, we were ready and alert. Not slow or groggy... Nor did we ever conk out like that...

My eye lids fluttered and I moaned. The pain fully returned.
I instantly felt cool hands holding my head. "Lith?"
"Darvire?" My eye lids flickered open. As my vision cleared, I saw Darvire was hovering over me. Cati was to his right, and obviously Third to his left.
"Lith!" Cati whispered, her concerned was layered in voice.

Darvire and Third (from the way he let us all know he was surprised) turned to stare at her.
Cati leaned back on her heals, eyes wide and gaped at the two. Her mouth opened several times, never saying anything, making her look like a fish out of water. Occasionally a stutter would come out.

"I must be dreaming..." I croaked. They all turned their focus on me. "Cati actually sounded concerned for me..." My tone was joking.
Cati glared at me and finally found her voice, "You were with him this whole time," She said gesturing to Darvire, who glared at her, "I half expected you to come back like it."

I rolled my eyes. That's the Cati we learned to live with and love...
My eyes rested on Darvire's. They were brighter... somehow. "So... what's the game plan now?"
The three of them exchanged looks. "We don't have one." Third said, sounding slightly put out.

My eyes widened. "WHAT?!" I winced. That movement made my wounds ache.
All of them leaned forward, ready if I suddenly died or something. "Oh, stop fussing over me." I scowled at all of them, trying to imitate Cati. By the suppressed smile from Darvire showed me that I didn't achieve. "I am not going to pass out. Chill."
Third lightly touched my shoulder. "But you might rip out your new stitches."

"Oh."

"And we don't have a plan cause we were 'fussing' over you." Cati said scornfully, crossing her arms.

"Ookay..." I said cautiously, not wanting to get Cati ranting (cause who knows when that would end). "Fine. Stories then. Tell me yours." Meaning Cati's and Third's.

Third obliged. "Well, Cati came and found me like planned..." Third began, pausing to remember, and then Cati jumped in. Third intervened... Sighing I closed my eyes, and listened to them ramble. Occasionally they would bicker over what had happened... but it didn't cover the fact that there was something else layered under their fighting voices. It almost sounded... affectionate?

Before I could voice my idea, Cati said, "And that's what happened. We found you. Being carried by him. I thought he killed you at first..."

Darvire suddenly made a noise between a hiss and a growl. His eyes had turned a light gray, and his teeth barred. I gasped. Instead of just one set of fangs, like the normal run of the mill vampire. He had TWO. Another pair behind the first fangs. He looked dreadfully lethal. Like just looking at him you knew you would die seconds later. For the first time ever meeting him... I was scared of him.

And a Special doesn't scare easily.

"Stop making the killing and changing remarks! I did neither, and in fact, saved your friends life! If you're that ungrateful, I won't do it again!!!! I am not a creature with no moral means or civilized manners! I am--in a sense--human, and would like it if I was treated so. If it was someone less human... it would be you..." He did that hiss/growl again, making it more like a soft menacing roar, I noted he was crouched over me almost protectively... or some predator defending his prize. Close call.

Cati fell backwards in surprise, and even Third emitted his surprised horror.

"Wh-what--?!" Third began in a quavering voice, "what kind of-of... vampire are y-you?!?!"

Darvire grinned... making him look more devilish, "I'm the kind you don't want to get on the bad side with."

Lith©2007

Cati's blog

We made it back to the cave.
It was a long, silent walk back. Lith mumbled something every now and again about 'Beast' and 'Darvire' and something about the end of the world.
Darvire and I didn't say a word to each other on our way back.

It was around twilight when finally reached the base. Third placed Lith on one of the blankets we had and balled up a shirt for a makeshift pillow and got to work.

I got ready to talk to Darvire.

He was scanning the cave, glancing every now and again at Lith who was still out cold.
I walked up to Darvire and tapped him on the shoulder,
"Hungry?" I asked.
He looked up at me, his black/red eyes full of humor.
"I'm a vampire, remember?" He chuckled to himself as he watched my face.
"Oh, right." I said a little embarrassed. "Then what... ummm... how..."
"I'll be back in 10. And don't worry, I won't cause a scene. I'll find something to eat."
I shivered a little, Dravire grinned and was gone in a second.

I walked over to Third and Lith, Third was stitching up her leg and had put a cool cloth on her forehead.
"How is she?" I asked calmly.
"She could be doing better." He said in monotone. "She's a little bumped and scratched. Nothing that a few days couldn't heal along with some rest. But those..." I could tell he was gesturing to her damaged arm and leg, "could take some good R&R."

I saw a faint outline of his head looking around.
"Where did Darvire go?" Third asked.
"He went out to... catch something to eat." I said. "He'll be back soon."

About 5 minutes later Third was done with Lith. I was nibbling on some dehydrated food by the fire and he came to sit next to me.
I felt a strong arm come around my shoulders and he pulled me closer to the warmth of his body. I didn't realize I was even cold till he did.
My heart had stopped and I couldn't say anything for a moment, I still wasn't used to him being so close to me. But I liked it. The tingling feeling was exhilarating.

"So," I said when I could speak, "Are you going to help me question Darvire? Or do I have to do that all on my own?" We both had our doubts on Darvire still... even if Lith trusted him as much as she did me. And I was going to interrogate him to the fullest of my extent. I mean, Lith with bad wounds, and Darvire found carrying her towards our base... It all kind of seemed fishy.

Third laughed his laugh.
"No, I think I'll be able to help you with that." He pecked me on the cheek, "That is if I can get a word in before you're done with him."
I smiled, "Shut up."
He chuckled.
"See?"

Suddenly Darvire was sitting next to me.
He grinned at me and said, "Well, that was cute."

I pushed Third away a little, embarrassed, that he'd heard our private conversation.

"So, is it question time yet?" Darvire asked and sat up straight and put an innocent face on.
I glared at him, which was hard because he looked like a kid in school waiting to be taught.
"Yes, actually it is question time." I answered softening my expression.
"Can you please tell us what happened in the headquarters?" Third asked taking over seeing that I was a little frustrated.

Darvire just nodded and his face was very suddenly serious. And he told his story. His voice was very melodic... very unusual for a vampire of any kind. Good or Evil.

After he had explained what happened--in great detail--I wasn't so mad at him. He had, after all, saved Lith's life. So I owed him for that.
Darvire put his snow white hand to his chin,
"Well," He began, then his head flicked over to Lith.
"She's awake." Darvire said and was instantly beside her along with Third and I...

Ink©2007

Cati's blog

Third and I quietly crept out of the cave, I was relieved that we were finally going to get Lith, but worried at the same time in what condition we might find her in.

I was creeping around with Third on our way back to the Develia's head quarters, when I heard a slow shuffling.

It was barely audible, I almost missed it, then I saw a shape forming... two...
one was holding the other. The first one was a man, the other was a woman. Something was wrong with the woman, she obviously couldn't walk...
They were heading right towards our hiding spot... I needed to stop them, they could be working for The Mistress...

I felt Third touch me gently on the shoulder, taking me from my thoughts, and I snapped back into reality. He wrapped his arm gently around my waist and pulled me silently behind an old oak tree.
We needed to stop them.
I got ready to pounce, arching my back slightly, and lowering myself...

They were close enough now.
I pounced out from behind the tree, Third right behind me, and knocked both of them to the ground. I was on top of the male, sitting on his chest. When I realized who he was...
"Darvire?"
He took advantage of my shock and quickly picked me off him and got to his feet.
"Yes its Darvire! Why did you do that?! Where's Lith?"
"Right here." I heard Third say.
I saw a limp body hovering in the air.

It was Lith.

"Oh my gosh! LITH??? Are you okay?" I ran over to her and started checking her damage.
"She's out cold." Darvire said coolly, "She got hit by a tranquilizer dart. A-"
"She what?" I cut him off, I had stopped examining Lith to glare at him.
"Well, long story short. We were getting away, I was carrying Lith, and someone shot us with a tranquilizer dart." He has stopped looking me, and was looking over at Lith.
His face was twisted with worry as he continued,
"I saw it coming and knew that if I got hit then we'd have no way to escape. So I... I decided to have her get shot with it. I knew that she couldn't carry me if I got shot so... that's what happened."

Third had put Lith down then and I heard the shuffling of him going through a bag. No doubt looking for the first aid.

I stood up and looked at Darvire, he looked relieved to see us, but at the same time he couldn't stop looking at Lith for more then a few seconds at a time...
"Thank you for bringing her here Darvire." I said in a slightly cool tone.
"But," I continued. "I do have more questions as to what happened when we get back to the hiding place. Can you help me with those?"
"I can." Was all he said.
We stood there looking at each other for a moment, both guarded, both ready for the other to reveal that they were with the Mistress at any second...

Third interrupted our little stand off at just the right moment...
"Guys," Third said gently, "Come on we need to get Lith to the hiding place. She needs medical treatment, and I'd be able to work better with light and shelter. Lets go."
Lith's body floated into the air, I grabbed the bag that Third left there and motioned for Darvire to follow...

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

I woke up with my head rested on Darvire's chest. We weren't moving.
I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep... But then... where were we??
I tried to recall what had happened.

We left the shed... Then we were almost spotted as he tried to sneak around the side of the building...

Then what?

Everything went black. Like a huge blank in my memory.

I tried to look up at him, but found I was looking up at his chin. "Mmm, Darvire??" I asked, my voice husky. He jumped slightly at my voice. "What is it?" He asked quietly.
"Where are we?"
"Look."

If I didn't have night vision, I would say in a middle of a black hole. The moon hidden behind a cloud. Everything was cloaked in a an almost material-like darkness.

But I could see perfectly. And I perfectly saw we were in a middle of a forest clearing. Ferns edged along the edges, while the wild spruces planted themselves behind. The trees loomed up after them.
"Oh..." I said faintly. "What happened?"
Darvire shifted me so he could look at me. "They shot you with a tranquilizer. I managed to get you out there..."
That confused me. "Tranquilizer? I thought they didn't care if I was alive or not..."
Darvire looked sheepish. "They were aiming at me..." He started walking off in a random direction, me still in his arms. "Remember? They were trying to extract information from me."
"Yeah... but did I move in the way?"
Darvire looked away. "Will you forgive me?"
I struggled a bit in his arms. "What for?"
He kept me close, and didn't set me down. "There was no way I could avoid being shot. You were still in my arms. You were in no condition to carry me if I was knocked out. So I..." He faltered, obviously grieved in his decision.

"You protected yourself with me in order to keep moving." The idea didn't exactly please me, but I saw the reasoning behind it. "Thanks... I think."

"I'm sorry..." Darvire apologized. "I couldn't think of anything else at the moment..."
I waved my hand at him. "I forgive you. Jeez. If that's what you needed to do, then I can't ague with it." My head was still very groggy.
"Okay... If you say so..." He was unsure of my forgiveness.

He kept walking.
"Which way to your... base?"

I thought about it. Base... Hm... "Um... Dat-a-way..." I pointed vaguely to his right, grinning foolishly.
Darvire smiled down at me. He brushed his nose along my forehead. "Okay then. I'll go 'dat-a-way'. You get some sleep. You're ditsy."
I shrugged and turned my head into his shoulder again. My eyes slid shut.
Darvire mumbled, "I'm just afraid when you wake up you'll in your right mind and be mad at me..."
I weakly punched him with my good hand. "Happy now?"
Darvire chuckled. His chest rumbled beneath me. "I guess I might have to be..."

He walked on. But I couldn't sleep.
"Daaaarviiiire..." I cooed softly.
"What now? I thought you were asleep."
"Entertain me... I can't."
"Can't fall asleep?"
"Yes."
"Entertain you?"
"Correct."
"And how I'm I supposed to do that?"
I shrugged. My eyes were still closed, but I could hear the smile in his voice. "By doing anything."
He stopped walking. "Now?"
I opened my eyes a crack. "Yes now. Silly. Unless you want me to bug you the whole way there..."
He chuckled again. "How about a lullaby?"
My eyes snapped open and I leaned up a bit. "You can sing?!"
He was grinning. "Believe it or not, yes. Yes I can."
I settled, still slightly surprised by Darvire's sudden surprising talent. "If you think that'll make me shut up and if you don't sound like nails over a chalk bored, go a head and shoot."

So he started to sing.

And I instantly fell asleep...

Crying.

Lith©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

I woke up to Cati gently rubbing my shoulder, it was covered in a blanket so she could see it... somewhat.
"Third?" She said softly, "Third? Come on get up!" I slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I looked around a little and then remembered where I was.
"Oh, right." I mumbled sheepishly, "Lith. Is she back yet? Have you heard anything?"

Cati sighed. "No nothing. That's why you need to get your sleepy butt up, so we can go look for her!" She still rested her hand on my shoulder, and was ready to go right in that moment. I
could tell by the look in her eyes. Her wonderful, fierce, intelligent eyes...

"Okay," I said getting up. "I just need some food and my battle gear on then we're out of here."
"Well, come on then. Get moving." She said forcing a smile. I could tell just by looking at her that she was really nervous about Lith.
I was too.

I got up and grabbed my battle gear and it turned invisible as I put the light armor over my clothes.
"Here. Food." Cati said as she handed me a left over of a sandwich. I shoved half it in my mouth and said a food stuffed, "Thanks."
Cati was just finishing putting out the fire when she said, "Lets go!" She started to jog out of the cave.

"Wait!" I said stopping her in mid jog. "We need plan first. How are we going to get in there? If we do then where do we look for Lith?" So many other questions were running through my mind too, like... would if Lith is already dead? I didn't ask though, I knew that some questions were better left unanswered... or asked, as it were.

"I don't know," Cati said slowly. "But I know that the longer we take to get there the more likely Lith could be in worse trouble. Lets just figure it out on the go, okay? If we die trying then at least it will have been for Lith."
She started pulling me towards the front of the cave, I didn't hesitate to follow either. I knew that she was right...

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

"Lith?" Someone said distantly, like someone saying my name from across a room. Again they said my name. "Lith, come on..."

My head was floating through the clouds, and my vision was dark. I had the pleasant feeling of nothingness, but something was bringing me back...

Back where? I wondered, and giggled, feeling absolutely ditsy. "Back, back, back..." I heard myself mutter gleefully.

A slight shutter racked me. "Hey... stop... it..." I slurred my words, like I was drunk.

"Lith, you got to wake up." Something shook me again.
"Wake up? I'm up, you silly goose..."

A wave of coldness hit my face like a load of bricks. "AH!" I shrieked. I jolted up, just to find my head spinning, my vision blurred, and pain all over. Groaning, I laid back down... to figure out my pillow was soaking wet... as well as my whole head.
"Um... sorry." A familiar voice said from my left. "Here." I felt strong hands slide under my back and under my knees to lift me up and lay me back down amongst rough material that was warm. My head fell on a soft material, that I sighed in relief... to only realize I was out of my combat suit.

My eyes snapped open, to only recoil in pain as the bright light hurt my eyes. "Ow..."
"Oh, um... sorry..." I heard a flick of a switch.

I slowly opened my eyes.
My vision slowly unclouded, and I found Darvire looking at me, slightly embarrassed. As soon as he noticed that I had realized he was there, he shifted the gaze to the floor. I saw, now, that I was on a stack of sacks of some sort... potato looking sacks to be exact. I slightly fingered the cloth that rested under my head with my right hand. It was his jacket. Looking down, I noticed I was only dressed in my sportsy bra and spandexy shorts. "Oh..." I said, tonelessly. "Why?..."
"I... uh... Had to see your... um, wounds." Darvire muttered sheepishly. "You, uh... fainted from loss of... um, blood." He spun around... in a swivel chair?! For some reason this just hit me odd+funny. Why and how did he acquire that?! The whole randomness of it all was weird.

There was the awkward silence and I just starred at the very low, rafted ceiling.
"Where I'm I?" My voice sounded horse to me. I now realized my left arm was bandaged, as well as my right leg where some blood had already leaked through, and there was a large band aid like patch on my face.

"In some sort of shed behind the kitchens..." Darvire found it easier to talk to me when he wasn't looking at my boobs.

"Oh." Was my reply. I tilted my head so I could look at him more closely. He was the same from before, but without the jacket. He wore a dark red collared shirt that he rolled up his sleeves. His shaggy hair hung in his face, and I saw him stare at his bloodied hands, almost ready to start licking them.

Instead, he stood up, went over to a near by sink on the wall, and washed his hands clean. The shack was the size of a large closet. So not exactly big, but big enough to house kitchen supplies and trash.
I looked at the floor. One large sack on the ground was obviously used as some sort of mat and it was covered in blood... My blood... And one other sack was stuffed to make a pillow--that was now soaking wet along with its surrounding ground. A bucket lay near, still half full of water, and strips of clean material that he could of only be the dinning room table cloths. One big sheet was starched with red, and laid crumpled beside the bucket--half damp. A large bulb hung from the ceiling.

Understanding hit me.

Darvire had taken me from Building five, took me here, undressed me to see my wounds more clearly, to then address them, and bandaged them up. All out of his own kindness...

"Thanks." I said softly.
His body stiffened; his whole back straightened and his muscles tightened. "For what?" He asked casually, not turning around, and continued to wash his arms off.
"For most likely saving my life." I turned back to looking at the ceiling.
"Oh... um... your welcome?" He said, uncertain what to actually say.

I asked in his uncertainty: "Is there a different Vampire custom to thank each other?" In my studies, I learned that some Vampire's had different customs than humans... I just couldn't remember what they were. Maybe because my position in the Deman'eraz didn't need me to know the customs of others when I only killed or captured. "As there are with other races."

"Um..." He turned, wiping his hands on a dish cloth, "Do you mind getting dressed first?" He still didn't look at me. He waved at some clothes that were folded near my feet. "You're suit was pretty torn up... I managed to find some, I think, that fit you." He paused and sat down in the swivel chair again. "I got a good eye for size..." His eyes widened, "I-I don't... D-didn't mean..."
I held up my hand for him to stop. "I know what you meant." A grinned played around my lips.

I attempted to sit up, but found it beyond my strength. I collapsed back onto the sacks.

Darvire, unexpectedly, leaned down at my side, and helped me into a sitting position. He let go of me, and I wavered perilously. He automatically put his hands on my back to steady me.

I mournfully looked into his eyes. "Why I'm I so weak?" I croaked. He steadily looked back at my eyes, "Like I said before: you're too weak from loss of blood."

I looked down, not really seeing anything. Just spacing. I was thinking the best way how to say what I wanted to say next. "Can you--? I mean--will you be willing too... Um... ah..."
"Get dressed?" He asked in my same embarrassed tone. "It's okay..." He picked up a black sweat shirt that obviously needed a wash. "This shouldn't be any different than dressing my siblings..." He trailed off in thought.

"Um, where exactly did you get the clothes??" I asked.
"The laundry... hamper, thing." He held the sweat shirt out. "Can you lift your arms?" I raised my right arm easily, it was my left arm I had trouble with. "Ugh..." I grumbled. Darvire held out the sweat shirt, and slide my right arm into the sleeve. He then rolled the left side up, had me hold on to one side of the opening, he held the other, and he gently and carefully slipped my hurting left arm though. When it was almost though the sleeve, he pulled it funny. I made a hissing noise by gritting my teeth, and sucking the air between them.

He stopped. "Sorry!"
I shook my head. "You're fine... fine..." So he continued. I pulled the rest of the sweat shirt over my head with some difficulty. The hood stuck to my head, and before I could take it off, Darvire did it for me. He didn't look at me as he shook out crumpled dark gray capri's. He rolled one leg up, slide it up my leg, giving me goose bumps. His hands were cold. Still not looking at me, Darvire rolled the other and did the same. I managed to hike them the rest of the way. Leaning down, he snuck socks on both feet, unlaced two worn tennis shoes, and laced them on. "Come on." He lifted me up and headed for the door before I could thank him or much less speak.

I was flustered.
He wouldn't look at me.
And now he's mad or something, and wont even talk.
Moments ago, he was all hunky dory!!!

Vampire's are as complicated as guys.

Lith©2007

Cati's Blog

I woke up sweating, and I jerked my body up to an almost sitting position. I had just had some nasty nightmares...
With about 1,000 different ways that Lith could die without me being able to help. Same with Third. I don't think that I've had a worse night.

I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead and sighed. I heard soft footsteps coming for me slowly. Then a *poof!* next to me and I felt Third beside me.
I shoved my blanket off, starting to run my fingers through my bed head.

"Are you okay?" Third asked.
"No. I'm not actually. What time is it?" I said digging around for some form of a watch. He ignored my question and instead asked.
"What were you dreaming about? I heard you mumbling, and you were sweating, and thrashing around." I sat down, giving up my quest for a watch. I felt Thirds arm around my shoulder and I looked down at the blanket not really wanting to answer him.
"I... well... I was dreaming about..." I sighed. "Okay, I had dreamed that I saw Lith and you both die about a thousand times. And I couldn't do anything about it but scream. I saw Patchwork kill you over, and over, and over. Or rather I saw your blood. Same with Lith... It was..." I felt hot tears forming in my eyes.

I don't think that I've ever dreamed anything so real or terrifying in my life.

"Shhh..." Third said. "Its okay, I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to Lith, she'll be fine. She's got Darvire with her." I had shoved my face into his chest (Which was a little weird because I could see right through it...) and silently cried a little.
Third held me closer, I sat in his arms crying for about a minute.
I stopped, pushed myself off him, then looked around a little then asked.
"What time is it anyway?" I sniffed, embarrassed that I had just cried in front of him over a dream.
"I don't know like... ummm..." He pulled out a watch from the bag of food sitting next to us.
"Its 3:37AM"
"Oh my gosh." I said. "Have you heard anything from Lith or Darvire?"
I heard him sigh. "Nope. Nothing. I've tried to contact Lith but there's nothing."
"Okay," I said standing up feeling more like myself. "I'm not going to just sit here anymore and do nothing. I'm going to go and help her if she's not here by 4:00"
"You can't-" Third said but I cut him off.
"I can and I will. You can't stop me. Now turn around, I'm going to change." I was on my feet then, getting ready to pull off my tank top that I had been wearing all day, and put my real battle gear on.
"What makes you think that I can't stop you?" He asked teasing me a little as he turned his back to me (I could see his outline faintly).
"I think that if you ever want me to kiss you again you won't try and stop me. I'm done you can look now." I said as I finished putting on my long sleeved sliver and black shirt that could withstand bullets.
"Fine." Third said giving in to the kissing threat, I felt a pouting thing going on as he turned back around to face me (However much he can 'face me'). "But I'm going with you. And we have to wait s couple hours before we go and look for her, I really need some sleep."
"Well I-" Third cut me off saying.
"No. You. Are. Not. Leaving. Alone. If you ever want me to kiss you again then you'll have to wait here till I get at least two hours in."
I scoffed at him, "You think that you not kissing me again is going to stop me?" I put my hands on my hips like I do when I get a little worked up.
"Maybe not," He replied, "But you going in alone will. I can go in unseen, you can't. I have an advantage that you don't. Plus, we need to give Lith a bit more of a chance. In an hour or two we'll go and look for her. But you have to promise me that you won't ditch me okay?"
"Fine," I said "I won't 'ditch you'."
I felt Third get up then there was a hand on my shoulder and my whole right arm went all tingly on me.
"Goodnight then." He said softly.
I felt him kiss my cheek, and my face went red.
"Good... Goodnight." I stuttered. He laughed a little, then I felt him walk away and there was a rustling in the blankets.

I went toward the front of the cave, at an angle where almost nobody could see me, but I could see everything outside perfectly.
Now, it was time for me to wait and watch.
I didn't know what was going to happen. Lith could show up here any second. If she doesn't though I'd have to go back and save her and Darivre with Third.
Unless both of them are already dead.

Ink©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

I finally got the kiss from Cati I've been waiting for since the moment I saw her.

After the kissing went on for about a minute, Cati broke away from me. Breathless. I didn't want it to end yet. But I knew that it had to sometime.

I was grinning from ear to ear, so was Cati. I was still lost in the kiss when she looked up to me and said, "Well," Cati was smiling, looking beautiful, "That was... uhhh..." She sighed, "Great."
"I'd have to agree with you on that." I said to her, still emitting the same emotion as when we were kissing.

I was moving in again when Cati suddenly took a shocked breath in and said,
"Oh my gosh. LITH. I have to see if she's still alright..." She was mumbling into her mouth, asking if she was alright, and if she needed back up. Her eyes widened, and I knew that Lith wasn't responding. That was never a good sign. "Lith... LITH!" she was practically screaming into the chip...

Cati had a look of fear on her face. I've never seen her scared before. Her being so scared, or even scared at all, was new to me.

Cati looked at me with wide eyes and said,
"She can't be dead! This isn't happening! I HAVE TO GO AND HELP HER!!!" She was getting up and her fear had turned into sheer anger.

"Cati," I said in a calm tone, "Lith is fine. Trust me. She's not dead, I know that for sure."
"How could you possibly know that?" She said in a slightly angry tone, but scared at the same time.
"Well," I sighed, "I went over to check on her when I was getting the food, she was fighting Beast. And I-"
"Did you try and help her?" Cati asked.
"I couldn't. Not with Beast--that's between it and Lith. I did help her by taking out a bunch of guards and a few specials that were coming... She didn't have a clue they were coming."
Cati was running her fingers through her hair like she always does when she's thinking or stressed.

"She would want us to stay here," I said softly. "She's going to be fine."
Cati sat down in the back of the cave again, where the blankets were.

"I just hate it when I'm useless." She said quietly.

I sat down next to her and brought her close to me and almost whispered to her,
"You are never useless. Now go to sleep... I'll take the first watch."

Within 10 minutes, she was out cold. I was just hoping that some sleep would take her mind of Lith for now.

Thing is... was...
I really wasn't sure if Lith was going to be alright.

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

I screamed bloody murder.
It hurt like h-e-double tooth picks.

I grabbed a bunch of its flea bitten hair and pulled its head, but it stayed firmly clamped on my left arm. I started it beat it with my fists in its side, but nothing worked. My head was suddenly dizzy from the pain and the loss of blood.

I was not going to die at the hands of this... monster...

With this new thought, I grabbed one of its legs and kneed it squarely in the stomach. It grunted slightly--like I only tickled it--but I knew Beast was hurt.
Badly.
Maybe even worse than I was...

I swung around and viciously and hit it into the wall. Then the other wall. The paint cracked, and concrete crumbled. Whimpering, it let go to crouch on the floor.
But it didn't stop on the attack.
Beast swiped at me with its clawed hands--trying to cut my face open. I dodged to feel it nick my face, then it swiped at me instantly at my shoulder after that, making me backup. I deflected it. It did this two more times till it tried to spin kick me. I jumped over it and I grabbed the folds of a shirt as I did. Like I was throwing a shot put, I spun around twice to released it. Beast flew down the 30 yard corridor to crash into the wall...

And it stayed there.

I sighed tiredly and limped towards Darvire's door. I flashed the codes, and the door slide open. Even with the power out, these doors needed codes. I slid in, and rested my head against the wall right next to doorway.

"Talitha!" Darvire exclaimed. Through my half closed eyes, I saw him get off the table he was leaning on.
"Hi." I said feebly. I knew I looked terrible with blood trickling down my face and onto my neck. My hair had fallen into my face.
"I heard gun fire--I thought it might have been you..." He started, then he saw how bloody I was, "Oh my G-" He came towards me, and I could tell he was genuinely concerned. "You're hurt!"
Oh, look.

Captain Obvious.

"Um... yeah. I'm fine..." I said. I nodded to the door. "Come on, let's blow this joint." I started for the door.
"You're hurt." He repeated, but with more confidence and force suggesting that I should rest.
"I'm okay." I said, even though I knew it was untrue. "Let's just go, before more Security shows up." I gracefully bowed and flaunted my arms toward the door. "Shall we?"

Darvire, still uncertain, went out before me. I followed and shut the door.

Then, a stroke of genius hit me. We needed to get out before we were attacked by another Elite. I'm sure, in my present state, that even a Minor could finish me off... We needed a distraction... The more chaos there is, the better chance of us escaping more-or-less unharmed. I surprised myself with the perfect plan.

"Talitha?... What are you doing...?" He asked in a curious, but suspicious, tone as I typed some codes. I kept on looking at the card, then back to the code pad next to Darvire's door, then back to the card again.
"Making a distraction."

Out of no where, all the doors--everywhere in Building 5--opened.
I turned to him and said, "You okay with that?"
He smiled weakly, "If that is your idea of a plan, then I don't know what to think." This made me giggle.

Slowly, convicts appeared, clearly confused at their sudden freedom. Some found it the opportune moment to start reeking havoc...

Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect.

I pointed down the hall... where Beast still lay embedded in concrete.
"This way." I started to run down the hall, stumbled at the sudden wave of fatigue, but regained myself to carry on. Darvire kept in pace with me, still concerned of my well fare. I reassured him I was alright, and could manage on my own.
We passed Beast, who growled pathetically and glared at me with blood thirsty eyes.
"Shut it." I growled back. "Ya stupid, fee bag, scallywag, rat face..." Darvire lightly touched my arm. "You did enough to it." He said softly.
I was about to reply it didn't need my sympathy, if that was what he was suggesting, when I...

Fainted.

Lith©2007

Cati's blog

We landed by the cave, or meeting point, that was about 30 miles from the Institute. The cave was embedded in a small foot hill. I found it one day, when we were allowed to explore the territory. It was the perfect hiding spot. You couldn't see it unless you were standing right in front of it. A sheer piece of rock had fallen on the right side of the cave, obscuring that view, and dense brush obscured the rest of it.

It was gorgeous here, the sun was setting behind us and everything had a certain reddish softness about it. There were huge oak trees and pine trees everywhere. Flowers in full bloom. And mountains in the distance.

I sighed and started picking up stray chunks of wood.
"I'm going to start a fire in the cave. We need food, so could you go to the nearest shop and steal some?" I knew that he was still standing right next to me, I could feel his body heat.
"Yes, that I can do. Be back soon." I felt his hand brush my forearm, a tingle of warmth shot through me, then I heard a slight woosh! As he took off.

Well time to start the wood on fire.

About a half hour later I saw some floating bags coming in the cave. Then I heard a sweet little: "Helloooo!"
I got up from the fire that I started from inside the cave.
"Hi! What cha' got?" I asked taking one of the bags from him and digging through it.
"Ummm..." Third said. "I got some of that dehydrated crap that we can use later, then some real food. Some blankets... uh, backpacks... CHEETOS. And subs. I found one of those shops where they still sell this stuff from forever ago."
"Oh my gosh! You got Cheetos?! I LOVE THOSE! Break them open!"

After we finished off a massive bag of cheetos and a couple subs we sat in the back of the cave against its wall.
Stuffed. Boy did that feel good!
I felt Thirds arm wrap around my shoulder. I leaned my head against his chest and asked,
"So, what was up with you in the computer room?"
"I don't know... the same thing that's up with me now." He replied.
"And what's up with you now?" I asked, smiling at him.
"Well," He replied, as the emotion he was feeling was emitting harder and harder with every word he said. It was warm, safe, like nothing I've felt before. It wasn't just his emotions that made me feel this way, my own feelings for him too.
"Why don't I just show you?" Right then I felt him tilt my head upwards and soft lips touched mine. I was shocked at first...
But then I wrapped my arms harder around his waist, and he held me tighter. Bringing me even closer to the warmth of his body.

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

Beast turned towards me, still crouched, and growled at me.

Meet Beast: Elite Special.

It was a two heads shorter than me. I have no clue what gender it is. It seems to be neither male nor female. The Beast has been mutated so much that it can barely feel pain. It also doesn't bother shaving, and its extremely hairy... like an orangutan. Like grossly hairy. It is super strong because of one of the Gifts, and it has very sharp teeth and claws.

Its purpose is to hunt and kill.

I was to be its prey today.

But what Beast didn't know was that its prey still had guns.

And yet again, I didn't do well with machinery...
Unknown Third did.

This would be an interesting fight.

I took out the MP5 navies from behind my back, where I strapped them to my belt. It was easier to run this way. I held them in front of me, ready to shoot with my fingers on the triggers.

Beast growled louder now, and its green eyes glinted at me.

Better to make the first move. I pulled the triggers and simultaneously bullets poured out. The floor exploded up into little splinters, and the wall chipped away in little bursts. I didn't need to aim. I just needed to make Beast panic.

But it didn't. Calmly it dodged the first wave of bullets, then jumped on the wall, and flew at me claws first with a wild snarl. I tried firing at him, but both guns clicked to tell me I was out bullets. No matter. These guns didn't need to work for me to make use of them.
I was better at throwing things anyway...
Chucking one gun, I squarely hit Beast in the middle its forehead. I knew I had cut it because blood started to mat its hair on its forehead. This foiled its jump, and fell short of me. Un-fazed by my attack, it again lept at me with a vicious roar. Using the other gun like a bat, I swung it to hit Beast sideways in the head. And like a ball, it was thrown into the corridor wall. It made a decent hole in the wall, but I was prepared for it to come back.

I hated things who couldn't feel squat.

Not shaken from being hit by 4 feet of concrete, it sprang at me again.
When will this thing learn?

I jumped into the air to turn sideways, kicking Beast as if to kick a soccer ball.

It had learned.

It grabbed onto my leg with its claws, piercing my skin unmercifully. I screamed as pain thudded into my brain like ram. I finished the kick by kneeing it into the other wall. Concrete crumbled. The kick wasn't as powerful as I wanted because I was partly stunned from the pain. It still hung on me. I took a bunch of its hair, forcing it to look up at me. I then slammed its back into the wall again, trying to ignore the terrible pain in my right leg. Punching it in its eye, it lessened its grip on my poor, blood be woe leg. Being slightly dazed from the hit, I grabbed both its arms, yanked them a way, and shoved its ratty, disgusting face into the wall. I heard his ribs crunch a bit, and realized the time it made a hole in the wall, it was a matter of time it got a punctured lung.

Now, you may think I'm being a little too harsh for this poor creature called Beast. You may be thinking that inside there's a real human being. That if I made friends with it, it would be friendlier. Maybe it was traumatized and maybe if it went through therapy it would be nicer.

I'm sorry, but you're so very wrong. Very wrong.

Before Beast became a Beast, it killed innocent people. Its primary target was children. It would skin them alive and watch them bleed. It would tear out their eye balls, chop limbs off, and watch them suffer one at a time... and enjoyed it.
The thing before Beast was a serial killer. No difference now. It just got claws and fangs.

Now maybe all the sympathy you had for it is gone.

Cause that little thing just bit my arm.

Lith©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

Me and Cati burst out of the computer room doors and quickly surveyed our surroundings.
Nobody was on our level at this point. Except for the Specials that we took out.

Cati looked up at me and said, "Okay, I thought that by now there would be someone out here..."
I emitted confusion to her and said, "I know... this is a little weird." I realized that I was still holding her hand and this warm feeling flashed through me... I emitted that emotion slightly to Cati.

She blinked, obviously embarrassed but flattered.
"My gosh Third! We need to go! Didn't I already tell you that?!"

I remembered--what I just forgot--where we were and all that.
"Oh, right," I said, a bit befuddled by my own actions."Uh... Lets go then."

I pulled her along to the opposite direction of where we came in. We both knew that if anyone saw us come in that there would be guards there.

We sped around a corner, going down the south hall, and...
There was about five guards there heading our way. One saw us and signaled the others to come. I looked at Cati and she didn't need to know I was looking at her. She just nodded at me.

I quickly pulled out my sword and turned if off the invisible mode. The guards stood there, amazed for a second. I bet they haven't seen a floating sword before.

That was all we needed.

I took out the guard standing closest to me by another one of those combos that I can do (Yes, I'm amazing. I know.) and he was down in a second.

Cati had just jumped into the fight when I finished with the first guard. She was now taking on two of them. The other two were just snapping out of the trance and going for Cati, not knowing I was there still. Or at all.

Idiots.

I stuck my sword into the floor and pushed myself up off it over the guards--like a poll vaulter--turned the invisible mode on again, and landed right in front of them.
Using the hilt of my sword and knocked one out by hitting him in the temple. I figured why get fancy if I don't have to right? Specially when they couldn't see me. The other one then knew that something was going on.

Jeez... That took him a while.

These little guards were so easy to beat. Nothing like Specials. Then again, all unaltered humans were like that.

I simply knocked him out the same way I did with the other one. He and the other guard were slumped almost together--back-to-back--on the perfectly white floor, so clueless as to what was really going on.

Cati looked so bored. She didn't like it when there wasn't a challenge in a fight.

One guard was in front of her, the other behind her. She glanced behind her and kicked the guard square in the face with her hot boots of hers.
The other one was about to stun her with a tiny gun. She whipped herself around and grabbed his wrist with the gun in it and twisted it until the guard was screaming in pain and dropped it.
She picked it up and stabbed it into the guards gut. He instantly dropped to the ground.

Huh. He was taken out by his own weapon.

She dropped the gun... thing. And started calling for me.
"Thirrrrrd? Where are you?"
"Right in front of you." She jumped a little, and then I grabbed her hand.
"Come on lets go. Patchwork might get out soon." We startedt o run down the hall.Cati's face darkened as I said Patchworks name. She was glaring straight ahead then said,
"I hate that-"
We reached the window. We were going to have to break it. No biggie. These windows weren't for opening. Just for decoration, or camouflage whatever you want to call it.
I pulled out my sword, which was practically indestructible, and smashed the hilt through the window.
It fell apart easily. Cati looked at me, grinned, then said.
"Well, that's one way to do it." She said as I gave her the teasing emotion as I wrapped my arms around her waist."Yes, that's my way of doing it," I said as I jumped out the window. "Unlike yours, you probably would have thrown one of the guards through the window. Right?"
She grinned and nodded. I smiled and, yet again put her hand to my face to let her know what my facial expression was.

"Will I ever get to see what you look like?" Cati asked me quietly. So quietly, I knew I was seeing the different side of her. The soft side. And I knew this was very rare life time moment.

"I think you will... just not... now."

Her fingers were tracing along my face, trying to figure out what I looked like. My heart skipped a couple beats and I got that feeling that I always get whenever I see her or am around her.

"Well, why not now?" She asked. Her big blue eyes looked at me, pleading.

I couldn't show her. Not here not now. If only she understood...
"Okay," I sighed. Her eyes lit up in expectation. "I can't show you now." She looked disappointed. I tried to explain, "Its not the right time yet. But I promise you that you will see me someday. Someday soon. The whole me. But you have to promise me that when you do see me that you will remember me as who I am now, not who I was in the past. Can you do that?" Her fingers were twirling around an invisible curl of my hair. She had a slight look of confusion on her face and said,
"Yes. I promise."

I sighed, this time out of relief. And squeezed her harder. She smiled and rested her head on
my chest as well as she could. Then we were off to the meeting point.

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

"Oh!" I said, clasping my hands together near my collar bones. "I finally found some Security!"

Both of them looked at each other in confusion.

"There are rouge Specials running about!" I tilted my head, "Didn't you know?!"

Both shook their helmeted heads.

I continued, "I'm only a Minor and when I saw one of them attacking Guards in the 900 wing, I had to go find help! I would of helped them, but this was a Major Special. I think her name was Lith... She would of kicked me into next week!"

Cati teased me that I was a better actress than a Special. Maybe she was right...

Both guards looked at each other again and started heading down the corridor towards me. "You wouldn't mind taking our place while we go get back up?" One asked.

"Na." I waved my hand at them. They passed, when I turned around, grasped both of their heads, and banged them together. They crumpled to the ground, groaning.

"Whoops! I just remembered! I'm that Special!! Silly me to forget to mention that... And silly for you to believe me..." I dragged both of them into a cell (which opened with their security codes), took their codes away (its only a card), as well as their guns and left them there.

I started running down more halls again, (now with codes!), to skid to another halt.

Something crouched near Darvire's door.

It was the same something that crashed through the Greenhouse glass.

"Beast..." I hissed.

Lith©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

Well, this has been interesting. Cati is now telling off Patchwork and is... Woah, holding my hand.... somehow...
Mmmm...

Suddenly I felt Cati pulling on my hand saying, "Third? Hello? Lets go!"

I looked at her and, even though she couldn't see it, smiled. Then said, "I'm smiling right now."

She blushed then said, "I'll ask you why later. Don't go all teddy bear on me right now! We. Have. Too. Go."

Patchwork smiled, however much she can, then the screen--which was left on the floor--flickered some of her thoughts across it. It was somehow still connected to her.
"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him right in front of you. I swear I will. The only thing you will ever see of him is his blood."

I've never seen Cati so mad.

She came right up to Patchworks face; inches from it. Then her hand came slowly up to Patchworks face and found a loose stitch. She grabbed it and slowly pulled it out.

"Hmm..." Cati almost hissed,"It seems that I could kill you right now, and those words would be your last. If I ever see you do anything to Third, if you ever even think about so much as touching him. You will be lying in a pool of your own blood before you can even blink." Venom was dripping off her words.

Patchwork looked terrified.
I was even scared of her... and she was defending me!

Cati was still ripping the stitch out of her face slowly, and Patchwork was screaming slightly.
Suddenly she ripped out the rest of it in one single movement.

Patchwork was bleeding from the open wound and had a look in her eyes like none I've ever seen before.

Cati looked at the stitch in her hand flicked it away then looked down at Patchwork and said, "But I won't kill you. I'm going to give you one chance. That's it. You can't say that I didn't."

I grabbed her hand back then said, "Okay, now. Lets go. Calm down." I said squeezing her hand.

She tried to look at me, but couldn't.

Sometimes, I forget I'm invisible.

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

They crashed through the door, even though they had all the security codes to unlock it.
They all wore full suits of SWAT team-looking things, except for the fact that they were flame proof, couldn't tear--mostly-- and they more lethal and high tech guns. All the security 101 who guarded Building 5 were specially trained to handle any Special.

But they weren't ready for my genius.

Which, frankly, was very simple.

Punching two holes in the wall--one on each side of the door towards the floor--I found some water pipes. I had brought some fishing line (yes, that is so high tech, I know). I tied it to each pipe across the door.The cot in this cell had a black blanket, so I managed to hang it over the door.

Jumping above the door, I knocked two more holes, so I could grasp the inside of the wall, like some Spiderman, and waited for the unsuspecting security.

It was comical. The first guy who busted through the door, didn't see the blanket or the line, tripped over it and fell with a merry 'bang' on the floor. The next guy didn't stop running in, tripped over the line, and falling on top of the first guy. Then the next guy and the next guy fall on top of them, and then the next, till 5 guys were on the floor in an awkward sprawl. I heard the rest of them pause in the hall.

That was all I needed.

I dropped down, grabbing the door frame, swinging through feet first. I knocked down the first guy in my way. With this momentum, I landed on his chest as he landed on the ground. I sprung into a flip, grabbing the next guys bullet proof vest when I flew over him. I hit the next one after him with the heels of my boots, making him fall under my impact. I stayed on his chest, like I did to the first guard. Still holding on to the guy, a swung him over me to hit the last security guard almost at the same time the guard I was standing on hit the ground.

Jeez, this took so much time to write, but it all happened quickly.

This was way too much fun. Plus, I needed the exercise.

Seeing that there were no more guards, I started running down the hall before any of the guards recovered. I saw the signs nailed up on the walls pointing what numbered cell were where, I took a sharp right down another hall.

Two guards were switching posts near the middle of the hallway. I skidded to a halt. Both of them heard my boots squeak to a stop and swung their flashlights around in my direction. I held up my hand to sheild my eyes from a beam of light , even thought the light didn't bother me at all.

"Hey, what are you doing done here?!" One of them yelled at me. He sounded concerned.

Alright.

Time to play the mistress in distress.

Lith©2007

Cati's Blog

I gasped as saw Patchwork on top of an invisible body.

She could frikin' see him.

Standing there I was stunned for a second.
Then I lifted up my pointy toed Kick butt boot and gave her a butt full of foot. I grinned as I felt her body under my boot. It was a lot better then air.

She recovered and grabbed at what I knew was Thirds shirt, then planted her feet on his chest and back flipped off him full blast.

I heard a *GASP!* from third, then a light *poof!* behind me. Then...

I got a butt full of foot.

Ooh, you little... I turned and tried to punch her stomach, but lightly jumped back, to swing around, fully kick invisible third squarely in the chest. You heard him 'ooof!' and fall down.
She turned to me and grinned to start advancing on me. Yikes.
"THIRD!" I yelled, "You'd better get the freaking heck up RIGHT NOW!"

Then I swung a punch at her head again. She just snaked that evil little head out of my way.

I should have learned the first time.

She pulled out a little portable computer screen from inside a sleeve of her kimono. The computer screen was somehow connected to her thoughts.
It flickered and then little words started showing up on the screen.
"I'm not here to fight, I would love too, but The Mistress knew that this was going to happen one day so she prepared me for it. She says it happens to all her Specials at some point."

I look up at Third and I get the confusion thing emitting off him. Jeez, I felt the same way.

"Look Bride of Frankenstein, We're not interested. I have better things to do then talk to you for hours about something that's pointless. So I've got to go and not waste my life talking to you."

Another thought flickered across the screen, "You sorry excuse..." But stopped. She sighed. "There's no point." She thought, "You actually really don't want to leave this place. Where else to go? Exactly. No where. The Mistress recommends you stop before you do something you might regret."
I glared at her and said.
"Well, anywhere where I don't have to see your face is better..."

"What are you suggesting?" Third asked. I was about to protest when Patchwork turned her back and started pacing a little. Right then a series of little taps went into my ear, he wanted me to trap her while she was monologuing, through the computer's security system with my awesome ability to type behind my back single handedly.
Got it.
I was typing behind my back silently as Patchwork said,
"She knows that every Special thinks at one point that they think they aren't needed in the Facility, or they think there are better things out there. Obviously you've been lied to. You have no where better than here. And everyone is needed. Even to a complete computer nerd like you, and this lackey who is too afraid to show is cowardly face."
"You know, not seeing his face is better then seeing yours. At least he knows that he actually has one." I smiled my meanest sweetest smile at her.
Then I glanced back at the screen quickly while she wasn't looking.
I was almost there...
Patchwork had a look of annoyance on her face then the screen popped some more stuff on it.
"The Mistress wants to know who told you that you could get away? Or at least made you think that you could get away?"

Suddenly, before my witty remark could be made, two large nozzles that looked like fire hoses came down from the ceiling. Patchwork looked up at the noise. Before she could move, they shot out a substance that looked like electricity, but tentacle- like. They rapped themselves around Patchwork, trapping her, and making her immobile.
"Oh, yeah! Eat that you MORON! Computer nerd my butt! Look what my fabulous skills got you into! HA! Oh and Third is always going to be better then you," I said taking his hand,"No matter what you do or where you go everyone, everywhere they are all going to hate you. Forever."

Ink©2007

By The Way...

If anyone has any questions, or wants to know more on something that's happening in our blog, ask, please, and Ink (Cati) and I will try to explain.

Nows the chance!

oOLithOo

XxCatixX

)Unknown Third(

Lith©2007

Lith's Blog

I landed on the top of the building below with a soft 'crunch'. I blinked, and my eye sight turned yellow. I looked around.

In the far east leading to the north, there were the shadows of Olmra mountain range. To the west curving to the south, tiny shadows that whispered of a dense forest. In this crescent valley, there were many buildings that housed monsters as well as their creators--more monsters though. The Facility was made up of 24 building structures, 3 helicopter pads, a 9 acer training field; a run way, as well as a 7 plane hanger, a large garage full of combat jeeps, also a huge garage that housed our many weapons; our own underground subway, a 10 foot electrical fence with barb wire encircled our estates, a 20 foot guarded wall 30 yards behind that, guard houses positioned ever so 100 yards apart from each other, and a sign outside of the fence--on the way to the gravel road here--saying The International Science Institute of Modern Science. It betrayed the real purpose of what really happened behind these walls.

Everything near to me had cool tones. No one in sight. I blinked again, and my infrared vision went off.

I pressed myself behind a large pipe as a search spot light light passed inches from where I hid. I hated those things. They perched up in the guard towers like big huge fire flies. They had their own power source, so what Cati did in the Comp. Room had no affect on them. I waited a moment or two, then took a running start to the edge of the building. I sprung up in to the air, aiming myself for the next building... 50 yards away.

Of course I cleared the jump perfectly. I landed with a metal 'thud' on top of a pipe on all fours, like some kind of predator of the night. My eyes turned yellow when I turned my vision to infrared again. Just some small heated bodies of birds roosting near by turned up a redish orange. In the distance, I saw helicopters hot red forms buzzing around. I blinked, and vision returned to normal... if you think 'normal' is never seeing shadows cause you can see through them.

I stood up and dusted off my hands to jump lightly to the roof top. The next building in front of me was Building 5. I surveyed it with my keen eyes... figured the best way in... and tightened my fighting gloves. I went over all my possibilities...

There is a flag pole thing sticking out of the building around the 4th story... Darvire is on the 6th floor of this 10 story high Building... Bars cover every window... Guards are most likely pacing the corridors, even with the lights gone... They most likely had flash lights along with their weapons... I can do this.

I inhaled deeply and jumped. I flew through the air, towards the flag pole. I grasped the metal, swung around two times like a gymnast to let go and fly up two stories. I somehow managed to grab on to a window sill on my decent; my hands holding me up, while the rest of my body dangled below. I pulled myself up so my chin rested on the window sill. I looked into the room beyond.

It was an empty cell... thank goodness! It was not in my intentions to release any more convicts than needed...

I heaved my elbows onto the ledge to reach into my pocket for one of Cati's doo-dads. It was a pen, but it wasn't no ordinary pen. Push the button that would normally have the point come out, a thin laser would. I choppily cut the bars off--one by one, top then bottom--casually throwing them through the glass of the window. Gripping two metal stubs with my hands, I climbed up the brick building. Whipping away the pieces of glass, I tumbled into the room, like a floor gymnast. I instantly stood up, ready and alert. I heard the thud of guard boots, who obviously heard the crashing of the glass, coming towards me.

Funny, that was exactly what I wanted.

Lith©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

Cati just finished up cleaning up any trace that we'd... well, that she'd been on the computer.
Right when she was getting up I heard it. Light tap, tap tap of about a dozen Specials coming down the hallway.
I looked down at Cati, she looked back up at me with big worried eyes and said,
"Oh my gosh. We need to get out of here... now. Tell Lith that the deals off, she shouldn't come-"
I cut her off by wrapping my arms around her waist and throwing her over my shoulder and ran straight to the door.

Then... Surprise!

Patchwork dropped down from the ceiling in front of us with that awkward grin of hers. The fact that her lip-less mouth was sown shut was just gross. She made it even better by painting fake lips on them in an outrageous bright pink.

Patchwork lived up to her name. She was the Asian female version of Frankenstein. Her body was covered in angry surgery and tube scars. One eye was brown while the other was a weird yellow. Her jet black hair was up in a bun by chop sticks, and her bright red kimono was way too big for her tall, super skinny figure. Her sleeves engulfed her hands, and they were several inches too long. A large yellow cloth tied around her middle in a big bow in the back. Her jerky movements betrayed that she was the most flexible being alive.

I set Cati down instantly and whipped out my sword. She had already taken a fighting stance and had her most fierce and deadly look on her face then said,
"Well, hello Patchwork. Come to ruin our little party with your face?... or rather what's left of it?"
I knew what Cati was up too, she was distracting Patchwork so I could go around her and get the first blow in. Luckily, my sword has an invisible mode on it, so it was set that way at the time.
I quietly signaled Lith with a series of taps on my ear piece that we needed her help getting out, also about Patchwork.

Patchwork knotted her little pencil eye brows together in frustration. It made her mad that she looked like she did... but it was worse when she couldn't even say a come back.

She front flipped forwards, hands before feet (like this was the easiest thing to do in the world.) and bent down to Cati's level. She held up three (oddly enough) white manicured fingers with a face that said, "Read between the lines, sister."

Cati's face was covered in rage. "Read this!" She swung a punch at Patchwork's face. Patchwork didn't flinch as she snaked her head to the left, and Cati hit air.
She was about to kick Cati when I slashed at her with my sword.

Patchwork spun around and clapped down on the flat sides of the blade, stopping it from striking her... some how. The sword point was inches from her face.

You could hear the little distinct giggle of satisfaction in her mouth. Hands still clamped down on the blade, she flipped over it...

Landing on my forearms. I couldn't believe how light she was! It was like holding a kitten!

She crouched there, her arms resting on her knees. I was too stunned to move, nether-the-less, throw her off. She pointed to her yellow eye and then poked my invisible nose.

I was horrified...

She could see me!

Ink©2007