the sun rises from the vast sea casting long shadows over the sleeping town, brook eyes flicker open to the eerily familiar sound of blaring sirens not even bothering to take cover. a few minutes pass before silence is restored, with all desire to sleep vanquished he rolls from his bed glaring at the clock reading 5:47. 'bzzz' he jumps still on edge allowing his breathing to slow realizing its only his phone, "you up? i can't sleep after that" reads the message, hesitating but with nothing better to do brook responds "yeah". before he even manages to send his phone buzzes several more times "you still wanna stay over at my place tonight" "i managed to get some of the good stuff" "but could you bring snacks?". nodding in disbelief he responds with one simple word "ok", brook ignores the many subsequent texts instead tossing on his plainest t-shirt and some basic jogging pants making his way to the door in time to hear the front door open wide. "where where you last night?" growls his mother, the silence stretches on before brooks father responds in a scalded tone "i never ask you where you go at night" "and that's because i tell you!" "fine i was out with my friends". brooks hand drops away from the nob as he listens feeling dread welling up in his chest knowing whats coming next, "YOU WHERE OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!!" "YEAH SO WHAT IF I WAS YOU SPEND EVERY SECOND NIGHT WITH THAT SLUT OF YOURS" theres the sound of something breaking followed by more silence "i can tell i'm not wanted hear" growls father. not leaving her a chance to respond he leaves slamming the front door behind himself, brook waits silently hoping mother will go back to bed but after 30 minutes his alarme clock blairs leaving him with no choice but to leave his room.

silently inching down the hall he passes his parents room then the bathroom before cautiously peaking into the living room where his mother sits weeping on the couch, she turns to him abruptly trying to hide the tears in her eyes "sleep well?" nodding he refuses to meet her eyes. she sighs longingly "sorry you had to hear that" there gazes lock "don't apologize it wasn't your fault" "i shouldn't have yelled at him and..." she sobs "i'm sure he'll be fine, just pretend it didn't happen for now". her forced grin is all he needs to change the subject "would you be able to drive me over to my friends house after school today" "did you forget your baby siting grace today?" "what?" "so you did forget" "why does she need me to baby sit her? she's nearly my age" "no shes 3 years younger than you, and me and her mother have plans" "you do..." sighs brook disapprovingly. "yes we do" "won't dad be upset?" "why should he!, am i not allowed to see my friends?" snaps mother "no... that's not what i meant" her tones softens while retaining a hint of sternes "please just watch her tonight I’m sure your friends will be happy to have her around, and you don't need me to drive you everywhere your nearly 18".  knowing theirs no point in arguing further he concedes "OK I’ll bring her along" "good now make yourself something to eat its almost time to go" she heads for the car leaving him standing alone lost for words surrounded by the aftermath of there outburst.

he leaps in the back seat finishing the last few bites of his tuna sandwich "i told you not to eat in the car" "yup countless times to" "then why do you keep doing it?" "because you rushed me again" shaking her head she puts the car in gear backing out of the driveway at an alarming rate setting off down the road, but as they reach the cross section leading to the heart of town she slows turning down a familiar ally "I thought you said I only had to watch her after school" "i'm picking her up on the way" "why!?" she ignores the question moments later pulling up outside graces home. "wait hear" , the minutes stretch on and his impatience grows until at last the front door swings wide admitting grace who immediately passes a fond gaze over brook being met with the peak of his impatience in the form of a cold stare making her long ears twitch with discomfort. "hey" she mumbles opening the door wide siting a little to close for comfort only receiving an irritated grunt "don't be like that" mumbles grace as she shifts away, his shoulders slump slightly "sorry" "you wanna talk about it?" before getting the chance to respond mother casts the door wide, grinning oblivious to their conversation. "brook?" his ears perk at her serious tone "i know its alot to ask but I’m thinking of spending the night with graces mother-" "no if its alot to ask then please don't" interrupts brook "excuse me?, you don't even know what i'm asking" "you want me to spend the night with her don't you?" grace flinches slightly at his harsh tone. "it would only be tonight, i promise I won't make it a regular thing" "but-" she snaps "i'm not asking for anything unreasonable so stop arguing, its not like you two have to sleep together" blushing grace sits a little farther away placing her bag as a barrier frome him  "fine.." murmurs brook in embarrassment heavy in his tone. mother sits heavily pulling out of the drive way puting petal to the metal , within only a few moments all shame is forgotten as brook allows grace to lay her soft head on his shoulder with minimal discomfort "thank you" he glances at her "hmm?" "nothing, i didn't say anything at all".  

arriving outside the school they find the lot empty and desolate "doesn't it open at nine?" whispers grace prompting brook to check his watch reading 8:13 "yup" she lets out a quite drawn out breath scanning the forsaken scene, mother pulls up into a spot right in  front of the school this time only barely grazing the curb. "don't be home to late tonight, i know you don't have any school tomorrow but i still don't expect to hear you got home past midnight" "could we stay a bit later" her exasperated stare leaves brook swimming in his seat "i'll let you two stay out till one this time but i still expect you to be up at nine, and if your not back by then I will not be happy" "why..." "why won't I be happy or why 9?" "obviously why 9, its friday" "don't obviously me especially when this really isn't something you should be forgetting, remember your fathers parents will be over in the morning" she shakes her head slightly. "just promise me you'll be safe" "yes i promis" "thank you, well alright my love bug i'll see you in the morning" "bye", he leaps frome the car with grace in toe "and grace?" she turns to brooks mother politely "you make sure he doesn't get in any trouble" "i'll try" he watches as she pulls away head tilted eyes narrowed "c'mon brook she only cares" "yes I know".

together they wait watching bugs swarm the streat lamps still glowing this early but allas brook can no long take her constant twitching tail clipping his in the back steadily "is there something you want?" she mumbles head cast low at the very edge of hearing "i'm sorry you have to watch me, I know you're busy and everything..." "its ok just please me and a couple of friends are going to have some fun tonight and if she found out I'd be skinned alive in front of the whole town " "what are you planning?" "just please don't tell her" "i won't but whatever it is sounds like a bad idea" "well you don't have to participate" "ok..." . she waits to be told growing impatient made evident by her tail continuing in a steady motion "so what are you doing tonight?!" "I'm not telling you" looking up at brook his eyes tell her she won't get a clear answer "ok fine, but I'm going to find out eventually anyways". several minutes dragging on like hour as other students slowly begin arriving some passing the pair odd sidelong glances as they take there seats waiting eagerly to be let into the school first like a pack of wolves hungry for there first share of the catch, and soon enough a short woman who seemingly appears to be in her late thirties shambles up to the front door unlocking it with a sharp click and entering with many students rushing in her stead. brook and grace are nearly the last pare to enter not wanting to seem to over eager "i'll see you after classes?" mumbles brook reaching a junction in the hall "the normal spot?" he nods faintly "by the flag pole"

"so did everyone study for the quiz" the class watches the substitute teacher nervously, a boy of around brooks age raises his hand "we weren't told there would be a quiz" in response the sub laughs "i was joking" his laughter fades seeing the class is unamused. grumbling something incoherent and yet audibly loathing to himself he turns to the white board "as i'm shure all of you can tell ms.asha is not feeling well so i will be siting in for her". he turns back having written his name "mr.glover" in bold lettering "for anyone who hasn't already handed in there rough draft of this years science fair project it is due today, and for everyone else the rest of the class can be used for catch up on other projects you may be behind on". "any questions?" a a tall girl only a few seats  back raises her hand but the copious buzzing in brooks pocket distracts him from hearing the question, carefully he slides the phone frome his pants setting it to silent "is there something i can help you with?" the teacher watches on coolly evidently trying to act professional  "no Mr..." "if your phone go's off again i'm going to have to ask you to leave, and my name's mr.glover as I stated only a few moments ago" "ok sorry, jeez" somebody snickers to brooks left. "as i was saying..." the teachers voice fades becoming nothing but meaningless noise as brook looses himself in thought, dought begins welling up in his chest as he thinks about the coming night, this isn't something he's really done before and with grace? what if she tells somebody, its not like her but still, in a world of his own the sudden 'bzzzzzzz' of the lunch bell rings causing him to nearly leap out of his own skin. "for tomorrow's class i'll be reviewing all your rough copies and helping to correct any mistakes" rambles the teacher, brook stands grabbing his bag heading for the door in a swift motion before the teaches can comment further. this way and that, he dodges swarms of girls who form swirling masses entirely oblivious to there surroundings or at least his pressens and jocks that stride with the confidence the biggest dog in the park but allas it doesn't take long to be stoped by a familiar face "hey devin" "why weren't you answering my texts" growls the short stalky boy "i was trying to pay attention unlike you it seams" "you paying attention?" "yes" devin falls into step along side brook adjusting his bag anxiously "you won't believe what i got my hands on" "more weed?" "no, something much better " devin hesitates glancing side to side "acid" "dude this is why we hang out" "yeah i know right,that's what i was trying to tell you" "who'd you get it from?" "the internet" "but like who on the internet, is it safe?" "probably and if it isn't we'll find out quickly enough" "you aren't planning on taking any without testing it are you?" "nah I already gave some to my cat so if its alive when I get home I'll let you know".  they arrive at the cafeteria "how much?" he takes a seat across from brook "how much did I give the cat or how much did I get?" "both" "I gave the cat half a gram and I got 5 grams" "seriously man your cats going to be tripping" devin smirks "yup, oh I allmost forgot I brought it with me, wana see?" he quickly and discreetly pulls out a small bag "nine pills each half a gram" "put that away!" "ok ok" snickers devin, brook stretches spotting grace siting alone on the other side of the cafeteria "would it be ok if i brought-" the room falls deathly silent in an instant as the emergency light flashes followed closely by blaring sirens. they dive under the table "two times in a day" growls brook "i'm shure-", light, splitting pain, something crumbling, he trys screaming out but is only met with a hollow ringing as air heavy with silt fills his lungs . somebody  cuts through the spiraling world of chaos surrounding him as they grab hold of his arm, somebody strong, as hearing returns in sickening waves a mans voice grabs hold of his phycye "BROOK!!!" shouts the voice over the chorus of screams "OPEN YOUR EYES" he obeys just now feeling the dirt and grime coating his form  "SOMEBODY GET A STRETCHER" shakily brook finds footing among the loose ruble nearly stepping on the remains of the school janitors arm  "no...i'm ok" a wave of nausea wavers as the full situation before himself comes into focus and it dawns that they weren't calling a stretcher for him, insides twisting and churning he retches not able to keep its down any longer, softly quivering a hand gently finds its way to his shoulder, its grace eyes wide and full of terror , the next few minutes pass in a haze as paramedics swiftly arrive treating the wounded and disposing of the less fortunate. they watch numb only feeling the slightest relief seeing devin who seemingly fled the scene like the good friend he is "there you are, oh am I glad to see your safe" he remarks without so much as a glance at grace "so what where you going to tell me?" brook stands graces hand in his "lets go" "that's what you where going to say,why?" paying him no mind they set off feeling looses stones and crushed dreams crumble under there feet all the while.

the three walk in silence picking there way around the ruble not daring to raise there eyes frome the asphalt afraid of what they may see even long after leaving the blast zone, what seems an eternity passes as the unbearable rabble fades to merely a distant murmur. devins the first to speak "i still got the acid" neither of them offer so much as a sigh "i thought i may have lost it but-" "shut up" growls brook, silence is restored. as if by some invisible force or more likely devin subtle rout setting they arrive at his dingy basement sweet so caught up in there own dark thoughts that the sudden stop catches the pair of guard "brook... where are we?" "his house" she shutters slightly. he knocks on the door getting no response "my roommate must not be home" entering there immediately hit with the over powering stench of weed and burnt food "cm'hear pebble, where are you kitty" , grace takes her seat on a patchy couch while brook lays across from her on a beanbag both heaving long drawn out sighs. "so can i get either of you anything to eat or drink?" they merely shake their heads "you sure?" "please not right now" "ok i was only trying to chear you two up" turning devin go's back to searching for the cat "hah mabie it wasn't safe after all" , grace looks up a little teary eyed "i didn't see amelia anywhere" he leans onto the rickety kitchen table "mabie try texting her, i'm shure she's fine, just like my cat". grace shutters pulls out her phone cursing softly as shattered glass crumbles through her fingers "its ruined" "use mine" brook hands her his phone "you shure?" "of coarse", the minutes stretch on becoming hours with no response or any sign of the cat, the distant sound of sirens has long since been replaced with an eerie unnatural silence that hangs over the town like a weighted blanket woven with torn heart strings and shattered families. hope fades frome her soft emerald green eyes leaving vast pools of loss and sadness and as hard as she trys to suppress the torrent the tears eventually begin flowing casting long intertwining rivers down her face. to her surprise she finds brook at her side offering a shoulder to cry into while he firmly holds his own tears back, there's a knock at the door starling the trio who sits in silence, devin stands to answer "who is it?" "kitty, who do you think?" "its unlocked" the door swings wide and an anxious young lady steps casting concerned glances over brook and grace, closely behind follows an even younger boy of around graces age who seems utterly consumed in his phone paying no mind to the scene. she rushes over to brook "i'm so glad to see your alright, i heard what happened today that must have been horrible" he decides not to comment on her strange change of tone nearing the end instead pleasantly smiling as best he can "where where you today, i didn't see you at school and you weren't answering my texts" "yeah well... me and rand skipped". devin chuckles receiving venomous glares frome kitty and brook "i'm just happy to see you to alive, grace?" she looks up at kitty eyes distant and hollow "yes?" "nothing...its nothing", "hey kitty guess what i have?" she groans "i got acid" "great..." "want some?" "no" "oh". "what does it do?" they all turn to grace as one "its alot of fun, you should try some" "no devin" growls brook, she sits up a little straighter "but like what does it actually do?". a grin creeps across his face "you wanna know if it'll make you feel better?" "grace we should be going I'm sure your mother is worried sick" brook steps forward reaching for her but devin blocks him "she's old enough to decide for herself, isn't that right grace?" a heavy tension hangs low , her eyes dart between brook and devin "grace please don't do it" "i...i just want to try one". time seams to slow as devin pulls the bag frome a pocket shoving brook aside quickly passing grace a pill, he gets his bearings just in time to stare in dismay as she swallows grinning sheepishly all the while, her grin falters feeling the deathly silence that follows "grace..." whispers kitty in amused disbelief, devin bursts out laughing being cut short as brook turns on him "what the fuck is rong with you" "I can't believe she actually took it, we don't even know if there safe"  devin finishes with a laugh "wait there not safe!?!" she crys "no you'll be fine, I promises" brook watches the proceeding utterly lost for words


devin sits with an empty beer in hand drunkenly chatting with kitty who watches on bored and displeased, "brook..." he turns hearing graces soft whisper finding her staring off into nothing nervously "are you ok?" mumbles brook "i don't feel good" she retches "nasty, do that in the bathroom" flinching at devins words grace stands. his desire to argue at its end brook stands gently leading her away frome the group down the hall to the bathroom, she quivers hanging over the toilet "just let it out,I've done it before and the first time allways sucks" . her pupils are wide and confused as she looks up "i'm sorry... i'm so sorry" he blinks taken aback to see her sobbing "i'm hear, it doesn't last that long" placing a hand on her back she retches again. "do you think i'm beautiful? " "does it really matter?" "yes it does" "right now?" "yeah..." "not really", as the words leave his mouth he feels a heavy lump settle in his gut knowing the truth was the worst possible thing that could have come out in a moment like this. "get out" crys grace "i didn't-" "get-" she retches, brook straightens his back "I'll give you a few minutes" with one last glance he returns joining the others back on the couch "are you ok" sighs kitty "I'm fine but shes not taking it well" "yeah it doesn't sound like it" "she'll get over it" the three of them glare at devin "your a piece of shit" mutters kitty while rand simply go's back to his phone. "well don't blame me if she has a bad time, i gave her the choice after all" "she's 14" snarls brook "that's old enough to make her own decisions" "no it isn't" "well that's when I started making my own decisions, ha, your only worried she's gonna tell on you" something snaps in brook and in one swift motion he stands taking devin by his tattered coller being hit with the stench of alcohol  "put him down!" wails kitty but brook only stares deeper into his eyes, rage blazing in his "I don't want to ever hear you comparing her to worthless trash like yourself with Hore for a mother who gives his fucking cat acid for the fun of it". "what are you gona do now, punch me?" he spits in brooks face  "leave him its not worth it" hesitantly he lowers him just in time to hear a crash frome the bathroom "you should check on your little girly friend, she might be in trouble" remarks devin siting on the floor in a pile of his own filth. hesitantly brook makes his way to the door not wanting to get yelled at again poking his head in, the scene before him sends shutters down his spine, standing she dusts herself off next to the tipped trash can wearing nothing but wooly pink socks, there eyes lock "you think i'm beautiful now?" "for the love of god get dressed grace!" heartbreak resounds in her eyes "i'm going home!". she storms from the bathroom still fully naked down the hall past devin kitty and rand "grace stop, I'll walk you home just get put something on first, anything!" pleads brook, glancing at him eyes full of hurt she opens the door vanishing into the twilight, devin laughs with a twisted grin "can somebody help me stop her please" kitty joins him surprisingly calmly "lets go". they set forth calling her name "i can hear her, follow me" she pants leading the way down the back road, rounding the corner they spot her pacing down the sidewalk with a sizable croad watching frome the other corner, most just watch in aww others do there upmost to inconspicuously film "grace!" grace turns back spotting brook setting her to a sprint "shit, what did you say to her?" she rounds the block vanishing out of sight "go around the other way, we'll pin her" kitty nods sprinting off the way they came while brook continues forwards. he rounds the corner after her regaining line of sight stoping dead in time to hear a dreadful sound, sirens, not airade sirens but rather police only a few blocks away and rapidly nearing his location. grace turns eyes wide and full of terror sprinting the other way only to comicly skid to a stop spotting kitty, really the whole situation would be hilarious if it wasn't actually happening Wich must be what the countless onlookers thinks as they snicker amongst themselves. "grab her!" but he's too late, a vehicle pulls up behind him "hands in the air" shouts the man, kitty dips into the bushes avoiding being spotted. he feels the cold hard handcuffs wrap around his wrists "officer please" he ignores brook "girl are you ok" grace quivers on the spot eyes darting side to side her situation only now setting in, a female officer steps up pating her down loading her into a seperate vehicle with little resistance, "don't touch her, she's done nothing rong!" he wails "be quiet and get in the vehicle" the last thing he see's is her wild terror filled eyes as there driven away.

the cells frigid and uncomfortable, periodically an officer checks him through the tiny slit window being met with the same sight, brook sits on the lower bunk head cast low in shame dwelling on what he could have done untill at last after what feels an eternity a steel key is inserted into the rusted lock and with a heavy click that echos through the room the door swings wide. "she told us everything, we just want to ask you a few questions and you'll be free to go" standing they lead him frome the room officer on each side both refusing to meet his eyes "i'm sorry sir" "don't apologize to me" "sorry" he sighs picking up the pace a little. brooks led into a small room with a lone table bolted to the wall "take a seat" mumbles the officer, he sits shifting on the uncomfortable chair "tell me everything" "don't you already know" "yes i do but i want to hear it frome you", a pang of dread wells up in his chest 'what if she lied and didn't tell them anything... but what if she...' pushing the thought down brook nods "ok... i will". it takes a little over an hour to relay the full story full of all its twists and turns only carefully leaving any part mentioning kitty frome his report "you didn't forget anything did you" keeping his voice as steady as possible he responds tone hushed "no sir" "hmm, alright your dads waiting outside, and one other thing" "uh'huh..." "I spoke to your father, did it never cross your mind that after the incident today they were searching for you" "they where?" "everybody was searching for survivors and yet you chose to get a friend of yours who's a minor high on acid, and yes I understand you tried stopping her but at the end of the day you should've taken her home straight away" "am i free to go?" "yes, now hurry on we have bigger issues to deal with". his relief is shortlived as reality sets in, outside standing leaned against the family car in the crisp late summer air is father eyes full of disappointment and regret "get in". dad sits in solemn silence and as if to set the mood heavy rain batters the car and thunder crawls across the sky"i should've tried harder to stop her" whispers brook to himself "yup"  he jumps not realizing his father heard him. "your mothers trying to smooth things over right now, i don't think you understand how serious this is" a strange anger bubbles under the surface as he listens to his fathers words "grace could be taken away frome her parents for all we know, are you even listening to me?" "i allmost died today" his father stairs at him in the rear facing mirror clearly taken aback "i know what i did was rong but..." "i'm glad your still alive". "oh well that's good to hear" "your acting like a spoiled child" fury burns in brooks eyes "am i?, you don't say" "your not seeing that friend of yours again" growls father, "grace?!?" "no that's for her parents to decide I was talking about... devin" he huffs angrily "fine by me". the vehicle falls to a hush the only sound being the steady rhythm of the battering rain and the occasional crack of thunder "me and your mother are talking about moving" "where?" "to live with my parents out in the countryside" "are we going to be leaving soon?" mutters brook despair heavy "i don't know, there both going to be here in the morning we'll talk it over more then" "ok", rounding the corner they arrive home "did they feed you while you were in there?" "no, but i'm not hungry" sliding from the car waiting at the door for his father to let him in "are you sure?"  "i just want to go to bed", inside its warm and feels strangely unfamiliar father takes a seat on the couch pouring himself a cup of wine "you want to talk?" "no" "I'm sorry for yelling" "good night" "goodnight".

she sits alone in her room curled into a tight ball in a mound of stuffed animal stomach clutched close more so in shame than due to the residual nausea 'knock knock' ears perking she turns to the door "i warmed up some dinner my love" "sorry i'm not hungry" moans grace "you shure?" "could i have my tablet back" her mother go's silent for a few moments before responding "can i come in" "no!" "i'm coming in". "NO!" mother opens the door wide staring at her sadly "you still haven't gotten dressed?" "get out!" "this isn't the first time i've seen you naked, now i want to talk" knowing she isn't going to convince her to leave grace pushes further into the plushies trying in vain to hide her nude-ness. mother takes a seat on the plum purple frilly bed gently brushing aside her artsy scribbles and loose pencils as one stabs into her leg "you realy have to keep it tidier in hear i don't know how you can sleep in this mess" grace go's to open her mouth in a retort but stops as mother stands towering over her "i heard what happened earlier, me and your father where worried sick searching all over, why weren't you answering your phone" "it broke" "you could've called me frome one of your friends phones, i only learned you weren't dead when the police called, and on that note why my love did you take acid i saw somebody on the news who ended up loosing there mind after..." she trails off seeing the shamed expreshion on graces face. "i love you" "love you to, mommy" "you haven't called me that in a while" "i know" her mother passes her a warm smile taking a seat once again "its going to be alright, we'll get though this as a family" "i know" "you want to talk more in the morning?, you sound tirred" "shure", standing making her way to the door she turns back to grace warmth and concern burning bright in her eyes "i'll see you in the morning my love, sweet dreams, and I'm sorry but I'll be holding onto your tablet for the night" exashsted grace slumps further into the mass as sleep overtakes her. 

brook lays staring at the seiling in a dazed trance unshure what to think or do but to numb to care either way, an hour passes, then two, soon the clock reads 1:24 and a thought only just occurs to him, he reaches for his phone typing into the contacts "kitty" dialing, it buzzes several times and just as he's about to give up a familiar voice answers  "hello?" mumbles kitty clearly half asleep. "did they catch you?" she gasps only now realizing who called "no, did they catch you?" "yup" "oh shit did they intarigate you or keep you locked in a dark cell for hours or... what happend?" he turns on his stomach fidgeting with a pen worn frome years of doing so "well they locked me in a cell but it wasn't dark if anything it was to bright and i suppose they did sorta intarigate me for a few hours but i survived " "did you tell them about me?" "well when they brought out the water boarding it was hard not to but i managed" she audibly sighs with relief. "i'm glad your ok brook" "i certanly hope so" "can you not sleep?" "nope, did i wake you?" she yawns loudly "mabie, want me to read you a bedtime story?" "why?" "i don't know i thought you would like it" "thanks kitty but... isn't that sorta odd like your not my mom" "it would only be 'odd' if we weren't alone", shifting back onto his back he gets comfortable "i would love a story" "oh that's wonderful". "so you want me to read you the one about the old man who couldn't cross the streat or the other one full of awfull dad jokes?" "you have any other options?" "a few but those are my favorite" "how about you choose just not those" "ok, i think i have one, its a childrens book but your still a child". brook only sighs softly to tirred to argue her reasonabe point "shall i begin?" "shure" "there once was a boy who lived alone in the woods with his mother "doesn't sound verry alone to me" he mutters "be quiet you or i'll hang up" "sorry" "anyways... she would allways tell him to never go outside alone at night as that's when monsters roam" she yawns softly "one day as his mother sleeps his curiosity gets the better of him and he sneaks out, as he pushes through the brabbles theres a rusling, but its only a rabbit, gently the boy pets the rabbit ,you scared me mr.bunny'" "he stands walking furter into the dark forest when another creature leaps out befor him, but its only a fox, he strokes the foxes muzzle 'you scarred me silly fox'" "pushing forwards he stands in the heart of the woods surounded by looming tree with dark creeping branches that stream into the sky there thin fingers shivering in the wind down the gully where water shimers and up the gravle laden slopes, the boy weary frome his ventures heaves a sigh turning back the way he came and frome behind bushes rumble and twigs snap 'mr.bunny ms.fox?' "out steps a monster with great big teeth, glowing eyes and no lips 'what are you doing in my woods, you better run for i eat everything that stands befor me especially little boys like you" "why" he asks "becaus i am a monster" "but why are you a monster?" "i have to be a monster" "why" "if i am not a monster i will be eaten by the others" "why do the others want to eat you?" "because there all monsters to" snarls the beast "is that why you want to eat me?". the beast growls deeply and quietly "yes" "but i am not a monster" "that doesn't matter" "of coarse it does" "shut up and run frome me child!" it roars "no, monsters arn't real so why should i run away" "i am real!", lunging the beast so big and scarry a moment earlyer passes right throught the boy crashing to the ground and bursting into a cloud of butterflies glowing in the colors of the rainbow and he wakes. brook smiles to himself "did you like it" sighs kitty "yes, i loved it" she giggles "good now go to bed its nearly 2" "thank you" "anytime" "goodnight kitty" "goodnight brook".

she gently places her phone on the bedside table "that's a nice storry" wispers rand laying next to her in bed "i have read that one to you a few times havn't i?" "yeah, i just like hearing you read it again" he pushes his head into her side affectionitly "kitty?" "hmm?" "i don't know if we can keep doing this". she places an arm around him lovingly "i promiss he won't catch us" "but what if he does?" "he won't" "but-" rand trails off as she gently kisses him seemingly melting into her arms "i love you" he mumbles near incoherently "love you too" her eyes wich glimmer like vast pools of emeralds meet his as they lay nudely intertwined "kitty..." "hmmm..." "your so warm and soft". they become lost in each others vast loving gazes "do it kitty, please" he gasps as she reaches down grasping his rod in hand "you ready" "m-hmm" he rolls upon her "no condom?" "just... pull out" "ok" there body's join as one "be gentle" whispers kitty "sorry" rand begins thrusting,  bearing his face in kitty's supple breasts "oh rand, right there" "i'm close" "do it" "ahhhh" he moans softly, pulling out spreading his essence across her chest before collapsing back into bed next to her. "that was quick" "sorry" "its ok, we can go again if you want?" "in a bit" "allright", they lay in silence for a while enjoying each others warm bodys befor kitty speaks up "mabie..." "yes" "next time mabie you finish in me" "what!" he sits up abruptly "why would i do that" "i don't know, it was a dumb idea sorry" "i mean i wouldn't mind but what about you, after all you might get, well y'know" "yeah i know, its up to you" "ok...", "you ready for another?" "yup" climbing atop her once more he gets to work.

the morning sunlight shines brightly through her heart stained curtains spreading dappled light over there two sleeping forms, she's the first to wake seeing the clock reading 11:23 "rand wake up" she gently shakes him receiving a dissmisive grunt in response, standing with a lournfull sigh kitty grabs hold of the blanket wiping it off him spotting to her amused delight that his memeber stands firm with a mind of its own. "ah whats rong!?" yelps rand siting up straight "its 11:30" glancing at the clock he yawns "its only 11:24, i'm going back to bed" "no your not, fathers going to expect me down by 12 and if your not out of hear by then he'll find you" with ungodly speed rands on his feet dressing with all possable haste kitty close behind, he finseshes first taking the oppertunity to watchs her dress a lewd grin plastered on his lips "can you get out on your own", her question catches him of gaurd but it shouldn't its not the first time he's been rushed last moment "i uh think so" "good" turning to leave she stops him "i haven't talked to brook yet but i'm hoping to see him later at the spot" "what time and what spot are you talking about" "they same place we first did it and i'm not shure when, certainly afternoon, but i'll text you later when i know now hurry" "ok bye" "and one other thing" "i thought you just told me to hurry" she grabs hold kissing him passionately "lets do that again tonight" "indeed" "alright now go for real this time, love you" "love you too" at that he opens the door fleeing one shoe yet tied and pants tattered frome days of ceacless pleasure.

brook wakes to a sudden knock at the door, the clock reads 11:35, "we need to talk" growls mother frome beyond, siting up straight as an arrow he remembers all the events frome the night prior, the cell so cold and lonely, fathers cold glare and most of all graces nudeness all colminating as a nightmare come true... except for the last part, the blood drain frome his face knowing he'll have to face the tirrade brewing beyond the safety of his bedroom in mear moments "i'll be waiting in the kitchen". standing brook  dresses taking as much time as he can muster before slowly making his way to the door and exiting, every step down the hall feels like dragging lead weights strung around his chest untill with one final heaving step he enters the kitchen. she sits waiting at the small kitchen table legs and arms crossed eyes burning with cold fury and yet scarriest of all seamingly composed "so what happened last night?" "i'm shure you already know" "yes i do, sit down" "i...i" lost for words he only stares at the floor "look at me" there eyes meet "last night after what happened i talked things over with graces mother, she isn't pleased" "i'm sorry" "but..." his eyes widen at her hopefull tone "grace did tell her everything, including you trying to stop her" "but it was still my fault" "yes it mostly was, but frome her perspective she doesn't think so" "grace?" "yes" "she's realy not upset?" "no she said you didn't force her and that you even stayed by her side while she was sick". tears begin forming in his eyes and he feels his mothers gentle hands holding his "after what happened last night i can't blame you, just promise me you won't ever see that awful friend of yours again...devin" "obviously" "don't be snarky i'm still upset and so are her parrents, just happy to know your safe that's all that really matters anyways". he sits back in the chair "where's dad?" she watches brook like a thundercloud ready to burst "he left early this morning the moment i got home" suddenly her anger makes sense and he changes the subject "will i be able to see her again?" "her parents want to talk to you" a shiver creeps down his spine "they do?" "obviously" remarks mother sarcastically "when?" "now" "right now?" "i'll be in the car".

siting uncomfortably in the backseat brooks ears twitch as he remembers something "aren't dad parents coming over today" "they got a bit delayed, but yes they are"  "when?" "any time, that's why i'm dropping you off" she notices his pained stare "well i have to run home and clean up before they arrive, we wouldn't want them to se how much of a mess our place is" "but why can't you just take me home after i appolgize or whatever?" "because you have legs, use them, and try to be home before dinner tonight" there conversation is cut short as she pulls up outside graces house, mother takes a deep breath turning back to him "i'll go in first if you want to tell them your hear" he only nods in response feeling a quiver in his hands at the prospect of facing her parents rage, every seconds feels like a lifetime as he contemplates what to say but eventually mother steps out onto the front porce beckoning him over. shuttering he opens the door wide stalking forward "hold your head up high and stops slouching for goodness sake, its not like there going to eat you" she pushes cauzing him to stumble into the house and there sits graces mother and father on the couch watching brook critically, "hey" "take a seat, any one" sighs her father he nods accepting the nearest spot being a old rickety arm chair across frome the pair "you want any coffee or tea?" graces mother sighs standing  "no... but thank you" "you shure i promise we wont poison you" "mabie peppermint tea if you have any?" "yes of coarse, peppermint with a side of cyanide" she finishes quietly troting off to the kitchen. "so you and my daughter had a bit of fun last night it seams" mumbles father, brook blushes "it wasn't like that" "that wasn't what i was inferring" "oh..." he hangs his head in shame "brook we have known you since you where born, my little girl has known you since she was born, you've allways been like an older brother to her, i hate to sound like a broken record but i'm not upset just a bit disappointed" his words sting like thorns on an open wound especially with the enfecis on this not being the first time. mother arrives back passing brook a steaming cup of mint tea homefully not laced with deady poisen "if i may add, where not blaming you for everything we just want you to understand how much this hurt us" "i understand and i'm so sorry" she sits forwards "i'm glad to hear that because you mean the world to grace, but still how can we know you won't ever let this happen again" he laughs slightly taking a sip of his piping hot tea "i...i just won't" they pair eye him criticly "i'm serious" "thats not eneugh brook and you know it" mutters father "how could i?" "you could start by appoligizing " "you mean i can still se her?". they pass glances between each other as if pychily conveining "you can't see it can you?" he stares at the pair in bewilderment "what?" "she's obsessed with you, your all she talks about and as soon as we mention it she get all shy, she doesn't do that with anyone else" brooks sits staring into nothingness "why" "oh i don't know brook" grumbles father with a slight grin "is she ok?" "yes she's doing much better than last night,you wana see her?" "i realy can see her again!?" the two look at each each other in amusement "only if you promise both of us something else and its alot more then just an appoligy" the change in tone leaves him feeling uneasy. mother takes hold of fathers hand turning to brook "after last night, not what you two did but what happened at the school... please just promise both of us you'll take care of her if anything..." she trails off puting on her best pleasant smile "i'll get her" leaving brook no chance to respond she stands striding down the hall loudly pounding on graces door "you can come out" all else is forgotten as her door slides opens and there she is looking a whole lot better than before,there eyes meet and for just a moment brook exspects her to slam the door in a rage but allas his expectations are forsaken, fast as lightning she's apon him, they embrace "i missed you" whispers grace a suttle sob in her tone "i missed you too", he doesn't even notice as her parents quietly leave the room to entrenched in comforting the sobbing girl and himself "i have something i've been wanting to show you" she looks up into his glimmering eyes warmly "ok". they leave walking close at each others sides, brook sets a casual pace towards the ruins of the school his hands itching with the urge to reach out and take hers "what did you want to show me?" "its a surprise but first i wanna make a stop at..." the ruins abandob and foreboding come into sight as he trails off, she follows his gaze past the school to the small bakery where half of the building sits collapsed party overturned on itself cursing   he turns to her. "i wanted to grab a cake" she smirks at him "why?" "well it was supposed to be a surprise-but me and kitty where talking and she told me she'd be waiting at her secret spot outside her house and asked me to pick up some snacks" "first is cake really a snack? And second what spot are you talking about" "anythings a snack if your hungry enough and you’ll see" grace watches him sideways "it would've been to share". approaching the ruins hesitantly hope sparkles in his eyes spotting a small gap beneath the mound "mabie we still can" brook picks his way forwards over the shattered shards of cement and collapsed timber, under the precarious wall ready to collapse at moments notice notice and into the darkness to her evident dismay "what are you doing?!?" growls grace "that's dangerous" "I’ll be fine" his foot vanishes under a wall leaving her entirely alone to wait in dreadful silence "i found something" a few more moments and he emerges pushing a box adorned with fancy ribbon paturns and gold foil large enough she has to help steady it. "what the heck did you find?" "come see" she carefully makes her way over the rubble to brook glancing through the dust covered plastic covering "its a cake, a really expensive looking one... this isn't this stealing is it?" "do you really think the baker will be back for his cakes" "no..." "well there you go" they make there way out of the rubble field "you could have been hurt, and if you keep doing stuff like that I’m going to have to tell my mom" "but i wasn't hurt and if anything I’m teaching you survival skills" "please be more careful i don't want to have to pull you out of the from beneath a boulder" "i was being perfectly careful" she huffs in response. the walk continues in silence with brook allowing grace to take his hand, they pass houses upon houses all silent and desolate, at most a lone cat sits licking its paw on some front steps, only now it dawns on brook just how many of the homes sit uninhabited with items strewn about the yard as if in a haste to leave. "grace" he squeezes her hand lovingly "my dad mentioned us moving away" "what!" the pain in her voice causes him to flinch "when?" "i...i don't know, his parents are over today and there going to talk about it" "and you didn’t tell me sooner!, please don't go~" "i don't think i have a choice" "OK, i have a big suitcase all that i would need to do would be pop a few breathing holes in it and-" "that wouldn't work" "why wouldn't it" cry’s grace tears beading in her eyes. "can we talk about this later" "no!, you won't be hear later" arriving outside kitty's mansion he leads her down into the bushes "be quiet, or they'll hear us" "don't change the subject" she gasps "is that why your taking me all the way out hear as a goodbye" he growls getting his clothe caught on clinging bramble muttering to himself ‘should’ve known she’d guess’ "sorta" grace falls silent for the rest of the walk until they break forth onto a river bank surrounded on all sides by thick bushes. "will you come back to visit me" brook takes her in his arms closer than ever before "obviously", grace pulls away softly sniffing "thanks" wiping her nose she glances back the way they came "where are we going anyways?" "can't you hear it?, I’ll show you" he takes her hand in his pushing there way through the clinging brambles into the clearing. the sight before grace leaves her breathless, a serene river lazily winds its way around smooth stones and over logs wich glimmer brightly in the midday sun making it allmost to bright to look at, golden sand crunches under her feet warm but not to hot and grand willows hang over the water spreading there branches dancing under a faint breeze. "this is kitty's secret spot" "how... does no one know about this?" "its on private property, kitty's parents private property" she gasps faintly "and there ok with us being hear?" "they don't even know it exists" "awesome...", he glances at the river sighing longingly "i didn't bring any swimming gear but its still nice" "we can still swim" "i don't want to get my clothes wet, but you can" "who said anything about clothes" he looks at her with a hint of a grin only faltering realizing shes serrious "we can't" "why not" "somebody will see us" "like you said its private property". not even giving him a chance to respond further she begins undressing casually tossing her clothes on a washed up log, brook stands stiff as a board not daring to look at grace "don't be so weird you've already seen me naked, now get undressed i don't want to swim alone" "i...I’ll keep watch for kitty, she should be hear any minute" "brook" he pries his eyes from the shimmering sands meeting her amused gaze "just get undressed i promise i won't make fun of you". "then...could you just turn around" "sure" with upmost hesitancy he takes off his socks, shirt, pants and lastly hands trembling mildly underwear tossing them aside with graces clothe "I’m...I’m done" "hmm yes i see" there eyes meet in the rippling reflection off the shallows "grace!" wines brook "so i can turn around?" "just get in the water!" she laughs running forwards leaping into the crystal stream "ooh you didn't say it would be so cold" "its glacier run off, you should’ve know that" mumbles brook more carefully picking his way forwards, minutes pass but soon they both stand shoulder deep in the water "i can barely touch the bottom" giggles grace "you want to race to that rock over there" she points to the opposite side of the water "no i can't" "of coarse you can c’mon" "no i really can't"  only now does grace notices his shamed expression "whats wrong?" "grace...i can't swim" silence reins.

kitty sits browsing her phone in an endless death scroll on the grandest couch they own overlooking the town bathed under blaring midday sun "your father and i where talking about putting you in summer classes" she places her phone on the side table abruptly "again with this, my marks are more than fine" her mother takes on a cold scolding tone "a B is not a good mark especially at this dump of a school, you should set higher standards for yourself especially with such a prestigious name to hold up to" "if fathers so worried why doesn't he talk to me himself". "firstly I’m also worried not just your father so don’t always assume he’s the one pushing and secondly he's a very busy man made all the more by this ridiculous war", kitty lays back staring at the ceiling "i wish we never moved" "you know exactly why we did" she ignores the fury in her mothers tone "i miss my friends and my old name and-" "ENOUGH!" shouts mother "we are not having this fucking conversation again, if you have so much time to waste arguing about such ridiculous things you have time to study". "fine by me" kitty stands feeling the silky carpet on her bare feet "I’ll study" she passes mother watching who like a ravenous hawk never drops her venomous glare even as she rounds a corner leading down the basement stares "i expect you won't be seeing those 'friends' of yours again" . a shiver passes down kitty’s spine "i haven't seen them in months, mother" not giving her a chance to respond she quickly picks her way down the stairs to the dusty dingy basement, the only place the maids don’t visit, several old door frames line a long hall, some with doors others without, she chooses the second to last on her left sliding open the rickety but well oiled door to a room with an old study made of sturdy oak and  shelves lined with dusty tomes straight out of the 17th century. with a sharp click kitty locks the door behind herself turning on the light coughing at the dusty air, striding quickly and quietly she taps the wall listening. There! One push, shove and heave later and what at first seamed like solid wood planks collapses giving way to nothingness, the abyss, carved into the wall by some wild creature seams to stare into her soul calling reaching out with ghostly tempting tendralls, but allas  having done this countless times before she doesn’t fear. the dirt grazes kitty’s back as she inches forwards through the darkness feeling relief flood through every fibre as light breaks on the horizon, beautifully blinding light, birds chirping, water gurgling, she dusts herself off emerging from the half collapsed shed smelling the freshness of forest the mist so cool and refreshing drifting through the air clinging to her body, a well beaten path leads through the underbrush so as to be careful not to prick her bare feet she picks the same way forwards as all other times, the river becomes audible and laughing? graces laughing? interest perked kitty pushes aside the last of the brambles being met with a most delightful sight.

"lay back slowly like i showed you, don't worry i won't let go" he listens allowing his feet to leave the silty bottom feeling graces small gentle hands on his back "now try kicking" panic rises and brooks attempted kick quickly descends into panicked floundering, "no not like that" laughs grace "don’t laugh i can't do it!" "yes you can, now try again" "but how?" "trust that you'll float if you just relax all your muscles" "but what if i can’t" "then I’ll catch you,the water isn’t going fast anyways". Once more he hesitantly gets on his back "now kick slowly" one stroke then two "its working, your moving" remarks grace blissfully "now I’m going to let go slowly" "no don't!" "the waters calm you'll be fine, just relax" she slowly removes her hands "your doing it all on your own, now try swimming" he kicks moving forwards at a feeble yet sustainable rate. "you got it!" she pulls up closer placing her cheek against his whispering playfully "you look so cute" "do i now?" "so cute i could-" grace cuts off gasping causing brook to sputter and fail just barely finding a foot hold, "whats wrong, you scared the life out of me!" following her gaze theirs kitty waiting and watching comfortably one leg crossed over the other on moss covered log among the foliage "how long have you been hear you creep" wails grace "long enough" remarks kitty gleefully. As one they rush from the water desperately clawing into the nearest waterside brambles "i already saw both of you love birds naked, whats the rush?" "its not like that!" sputters brook from  "you two should really dry off before dressing". "she's right" he turns seeing grace emerge for the bush face red as a strawberry body dripping wet, she mutters while trying her upmost hide and remove the clinging twigs and leaves  "we only brought one change,so we’ll have to dry first" his shoulders slump knowing she's right and with little choice remaining he to steps out, werrie of her amused piercing green gaze they sit as comfortably as possible given the circumstance on a the same log overlooking the water with kitty on brooks side clearly oblivious to his discomfort, theirs a rustling from the bushes snapping them out of there reveries turning heads, rand emerges pulling thorns from his baggy sweater "hey kitty.." his eyes widen seeing the nude pair "you two are naked?" "really i didn't notice" growls grace. looking on the verge of asking more meaningless questions his eye catches the box its gold foil surface impossible to miss sitting nestled between two mossy stones completely forgetting the awkward situation "is that cake?" "yes" sighs brook "can i have some?" "go ahead", kitty glances at the two bliss replaced with bewilderment "why did you bring cake?" "you told me to bring snacks" "that's not a..." rand takes a greedy handful without even bothering to look for any cutlery "rand!!" roars kitty mightily, leaving brook and grace to themselves. she leans into his side closing her eyes feeling the warmth of the low hanging sun on her face "brook?" "yea?" "could you put your arm around me, I’m cold" there argument over the cake fades to a distant hubbub as they bask in each others presence. a crane swoops low hooking a leaping fish its wings audible, soon the early evening crickets can be heard singing their forlorn song setting the stage for another starry night, an hour passes without notice then two, kitty takes a seat next to brook silently as rand plays his phone "is she sleeping?" "yeah i think so" "your message earlier about moving" "hmm, what about it?" "does it really seam like its going to happen?" "i hope not" "that's not what i asking" "i don't know, why are you asking all the sudden?" "its just... can i be blunt with you?" "your never this serious kitty, but yes you may" "grace... your the only person she would willingly undress in front of and now look at her" "yeah... i see, but whats your point?". "she may be fairly mature for her age but she is ultimately only 14 and your nearly-" "its not like that" cuts in brook "i hope it isn’t but i don’t know what to think, but that wasn't what i was getting at" she passes a longing gaze over the rippling river reflecting moonlight up onto the willow above feeling a gentle breeze sway her long hair "shortly before i snuck out i was on my phone and there was a video with over a thousand views, it was grace... last night" a dog barks a distance off "she'll never be able to show her face at school again, her life is about to become hell". "why are you telling me all this" "because i was hoping you’d already known, like... i get she isn't your responsibility but loosing you then having to deal with the fallout of well... you know...". for a time only crickets fill the silence until unable to suppress the tension anymore he speaks "its out of my control kitty" "just please try" "i will", standing she flings her hair back "rand lets go back to my place" "k". it becomes increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open as the last of the sunlight only a faint glow fades over the horizon leaving them in complete darkness, an owl siting perched on a tree across the water hoots loudly calling to its mate, grace leaps awake "what was that?" "just an owl" "oh..."  brook whispers "its late we should be getting home" "already?" "its already past nine" "just a few more minutes" "a few..." she lays her head back "where did kitty and rand go?" "they left while you where sleeping a few minutes ago "did they like your cake?" he giggles softly "rand certainly did, i think he may have even taken it" “the whole thing? "yup" "he'll eat anything" minutes pass and brook stands dressing with grace close behind, they finish making there way back through the clinging brambles under looming trees close at each others side. Guided by distant streetlights it doesn't take long to break out onto the main road, hand in hand they continue two shadows cast in incandescent light against the moonlit sky, grace squeezes his hand tighter "could we spend some more time together tomorrow?" "i would love to" "you would?" "yes why do you sound so surprised",home comes into sight "grace?" "mhmm?" "i..i" she watches on pale blue eyes catching reflections of himself "i want you to know your very important to me and I’m sorry for saying you weren't beautiful last night" "its allright, i probably wasn't" he smirks "no not then" "what do you think now, tell me the truth" "no matter what i said before you are beautiful and intelligent more than i can say for myself". she grabs hold of him "don't be like that, your perfect the way you are, puss if you keep on saying thing like that I’ll have to marry you" "thanks?" he laughs nervously. they arrive outside his house "can you make it home on your own?" "yeah" "alright I’ll be seeing you tomorrow" "are you forgetting anything" she smile impishly "i think i may be" brook takes grace in his arms, cradling her  smaller form close, warm soft face against his "i love you grace" she responds with a slight quiver to her tone "i love you to". 

the dry grass crunches as brook picks his way to the front door swinging it open as quietly as he can muster "your home late" mother sits reading a book under the light of an old faded lamp its base chipped yet sturdy "i lost track of time" "its fine, how did it go?" "it went well" "take a seat i want to hear all about it", sinking into the velvet couch, warm, soft and smooth sending pleasant shivers racing down his back like a gentle embrace. "how did her parents take it" she puts down her book on the small stained glass coffee table laying back more comfortably "we talked, neither of them seamed all that~ upset" "told you they wouldn't be, did anything particular come up?" "um... was something supposed to?" "no just curious",  eyes widening slightly he remembers the last thing graces mother said "there was one thing her mom brought up near the end...". "if your willing to sharing i would love to know" "perhaps...later" "alright" she shrugs, the crickets can still be heard as a distant murmur against his own heartbeat combined further with all the other many sounds that fill the night "wheres grandma and grandpa?" mother takes a long breath eyes narrowing slightly "they never showed up, your father tried getting ahold of them countless times but... dad probably just forgot"  brooks stomach churns "are they OK?". "I’m sure everything’s fine, like i said grandpa and his bad memory are to blame, you know how he can be.. that crazy old man" "i hope so, there both getting so old now..." "they are", brook go's to stand but stops peering down feeling mother grab his forearm firmly "what's up?" mouth working wordlessly she only stares back into his eyes, but not a word breaks through to the surface "it's nothing, see you in the morning my love bug" "goodnight" he responds despondently "goodnight"

beneath the clear midnight sky’s a lone jet soars set gracefully against the full moon "target in 9000 meters" mutters a grizzled man seemingly in his early fifty’s sitting in the pilot seat "copy that" replies a younger voice through his staticy intercom, he lays back checking the console clock 02:27, a strange excitement flows through ever fibre knowing this is the last mission before long awaited retirement  "target in sight" "ready the HSM in 10,9 8,7" the countdown continues steadily, somethings not right, the radar pings but the signal is garbled beyond recognition, first one point then hundreds in all direction then... he pushes down the worm of dought welling up within having dealt with similar meaniell issues countless times before "control, there appears to be a problem with the radar" "abort countdown" sighs the man on the other end "what 'appears' to be the problem". "i...i don't know, its picking up something but that’s all i can say" "just drop th- bzzz bo- bzzzzz" signal garbled beyond comprehension the man frowns taping his radar which to flickers wildly  "that's odd... should i abort?" he leans forwards adjusting the nob to no avail "control do you copy?" silence. an odd shape catches the corner of his eye outlined against the vast sea of stars almost bending light around its round edges, "a tube? no it looks like a massive hovering tick tack. the worm of terror flutters growing wings and filling his chest now realizing its mirroring his movements perfectly without any noticeable form of propoltion, no matter how he turns, weaves and dives nothing works it follows ceaselessly never failing to move more than ten meters from the left wing as if purposefully mocking him "drop the bomb" echos commander $$$ voice in the back of his mind over and over again droning out all rational thought, it moves closer mockingly , without a second thought the grizzled man who has never in his life been more terrified than this very moment smashes the button slamming into max acceleration nearly blacking out. And as the blood rushes back to his brain allowing him to think once more its gone without so much as a trace to indicate it was ever there at all, "bzzzz- come in unit 17, do you copy unit 17?!?" trembling hands he reaches for the mic "i copy, just had some technical issues on my end but the mission was a success, I’ll be returning back to base now" "copy that". 

"grace..." mumbles brook to himself, she stands naked peering over a chasm among finely nit forest roots, water can be heard from somewhere bellow casting fine cool mist high into the tree tops which glimmers accumulating on moss covered branches like little a million tiny diamonds, "i know your there brook" he smiles glowingly stepping out of the bushes "how could you tell?" "i just could". she leans down scooping a small rock casting it into the chasm listening for a few moments as it falls "you want to join me?" her gaze loving and gentle beckons him "i would love to" brook picks his way forwards over tiny leafs feeling the soft spongy forest floor pulling his bare feet deeper, only now realizing he to is naked,  mist so cold yet warm as a single beam of sunlight cast from somewhere far above finds its way through the dense tree tops illuminating the pair in stark contrast to the abyss stretching on endlessly bellow them. without a moments notice she steps forwards over the edge into a darkness that seams forever endless, but something stops brook, a distant yet urgent rumble? at the very edge of hearing but still there. he strains his ears, yelling? panic? its mother! in a mere blink of an eye the world around him is no more becoming nothing but a faint pleasant recollection as he’s jolted back into chaos. brook leaps from bed stumbling slightly, did the ground move or am i just tiered, but while slipping into the nearest pants the ground bellow his feet quivers with a fury beyond anything ever felt before sending him to the ground, only now does reality truly set in and with little time to waste he hobbles through dirty clothe to the nob exciting with haste, rushing down the hall past shattered photo’s, leaping over glass shards bearing little regard as something falls adding to the mess behind , mother and father stand clutching the kitchen table both pale as a ghost breathing heavilly yet shallow "what was that!" would have been what brook wanted to say had it not come out as but a wretched weaz. the quaking drags on nd on for an eternity when in reality it lasted mere moments, fathers the first to speak still in an albeit weak but steady voice "both of you, out now" they obeys meakly falling in line behind him mustering outside at the driveway "my service is down, we..." trio turning they see flames, northwest around two hundred meters away, licking the “we... we should check what that is” brook nods understanding how difficult it must be for father to maintain the act, in the car none of them so much as mutter a word to caught up in there own dire thoughts, does this mean the war has finally reached us for good, was it terrorists? Every possibility raises more questions than it answers alone, that is until they hit traffic completely blocking any attempt at getting into town where all else becomes meaningless "that's bad..." sighs brook in disbelief pointing up where the clouds glow orange and plumes black with soot rise high into the full mooned night sky, mother undoes her seatbelt abruptly "hold on, I’ll be right back" stepping from the quiet vehicle she picks her way to an officers at the front of the line of traffic standing firm and alert stopping cars from going any further. words lost over the honking and distant sirens brooks eyes strain to make out the two silhouettes cast against the blazing clouds but when they focus its easy to tell the whole story to an exstent, the smaller figure being mother stands waving her arms wildly clearly enraged about something or other while the larger of the two simply stands cross armed shaking his head sternly every few moments, it would almost be funny if not given the situation, at least father seams to think it is smirking and occasionally chuckling quietly to himself every now and then. but alas after only a few minutes she arrives back face locked in a venomis scowl "he keeps saying it was only a gas line bursting which caused some minor structural damage and refuses to tell me anymore, minor structural damage my ass!" she finishes "well at least you tried" remarks father a mocking hint to his tone "yes at least i did" sensing a fight brook speaks up "how about we can check it out in the morning i just want to go home, I’m tired its near 3". "lets" sighs father making a u-turn belligerent of any bystanders leaving the firey nightmare behind them, the rest of the drive is silent with nothing left needing said say even as they arrive home having, the only sound be the soft scuffing of there shoes on the cement driveway or the rattling of the keys as they enter leaving for there own quarters without so much as a goodnight. he listens as the sirens fade one bye one until there the cool night air is silent once more, say for crickets and the occasional owl singing its long eerie song for all who still listen at such an hour leaving brook to almost forget the terror that he felt, almost, sleep comes quickly only now night needent offer milk and honey but only a twisted realm sure to bring only terror and suffering.

fire so much fire, he coughs as smoke thick and bitter like molasses fills his lungs forcing every breath to be little more than a sputtering rasp, "wake up" he try’s calling out but can't feeling the heavy weight spreading its reach further "its 11 wake up". morning sun shines brightly in his eyes, truly a stark contrast but... somethings still not right, he can't move "morning sleepyhead"  small familiar fingers pokes his forehead sending him scrambling in a mad panic. "its only me" without light in his eyes the situation becomes evident, grace sits on his bed watching him, a most impish grin playing on her lips "how did you get in hear!?!" "your mom let me in" "into my room?" "well i let myself into your room" "where you laying on me" "yup" "why?" "your a heavy sleeper" "how is that any reason" "it just is" "if you say so..." she sits watching him expectantly. "i can't get up until I’m dressed, can you please get out" "you can dress with me hear" "just please, its to weird with my mom around" "I’m sure-" "please grace, isn’t breaking into my room enough torment for one day" "OK OK", she leaves passing him one last amused grin. standing blanket still wrapped about just in case he picks his way through clean the laundry pile right next to and party mixed with dirty having not bothered to put either away, a Gray shirt? perhaps this light sweater it may get cold, lastly some plain blue jeans to finish off a perfect mismatched set, it dawns on brook that not once has his phone buzzed or made some much as a sound and to confirm his suspicions on closer examination he has no signal. "you almost done?" sighs grace just beyond the doorway "yes, coming" outside she stands crossed armed impatiently tapping a foot "so you wanna check out whatever happened last night?" "obviously", "brook!,grace!" the pairs heads swivel as one hearing his mothers voice "i made breakfast" she turns back wide eyed "in all these years I’ve never been over for breakfast before at your place" "theirs a first for everything" he replies slightly sarcastically. the table is stacked high with pancakes and overdone baken to near blackness "oooh!” exclaims grace giddily “looks great” she finishes with whole hearted admiration, across from brook at the round table with mother in the middle her tilted head and squinted gaze makes him shift uncomfortably  "what are you two up to today?" "where planing to check out whatever that was last night" "be careful it could be dangerous" "yes we will, right brook?" he coughs nearly inhaling a mouthful of pancakes "yes I’m sure you'll both be fine" sighs mother. nearly an hour passes of the two girls banter while stowed away on the corner sofa brook watches content to, for the most part be left as an onlooker until without warning mother stands indicating an end to the conversation that he had long since tuned out of "i expect you home by 9 at the latest alright brook” caught of guard he nods slightly “I’m not sure if schools on tomorrow, and grace I’ll talk to her but i can't guarantee anything", she leaves the two collecting dishes strewn about "what did you ask her" mumbles brook belligerently "where you not listening?" "no not really, why should i have been?" "oh" she sighs "i asked if i could stay over tonight" "hear?" "yeah" they leave for the door "where would you even sleep?" "well where else but your room?".

streets feel desolate and empty there voices echo for an eternity, theirs a strange not so distant sound distorted by silence, voices?, together not daring to utter another word they pick up there pace hoping to catch a glimpse of whats ahead not yet realizing the horror yet to be exposed . a crowd three hundred or so strong stands formed around the ruins of a tower that drapes over the school slicing straight through the already damaged cafeteria, less than a week has passed since that day and in such a short time everything has gone from bad but hopeful to well... school isn’t going to reopen any time soon, "that's the cellphone tower" remarks brook his tone tinged with disbelief to a silent grace who only stands staring in shock, he approaches a man only a few years older than himself who watches the scene arms crossed scowling from the sidelines "what are they doing?" asks brook "you talking to me?" "yeah" "i think some kid was playing around the ruins and fell in" she gasps "the poor thing" "they’ll get em out in no time, the dumb little shit" finished the man hushedly. something else catches his eye, to the left, several people he doesn't recognize, 3 men middle aged wearing suit and tie seam to be setting up a platform of sorts "do you know whats going on down there?" the he turns his back to brook clearly running short on patience "i don't know, ask them yourself", ignoring graces questions they watch him leave pushing away into the bustle "you think we should?" she eyes the group, her normal blissfully disposition absent "not really, they look scary" “then... you wanna go home?" "mabie we could explore the ruins?". a surprised grin plays on his lips "really?" "don't sound so surprised" "its just not like you" she walks leading him away from the crowds towards a different part of the ruins near its Base"your leaving soon it could be fun", the fence surrounding what used to be the tower is now utterly r uined leaving clear access to the building beyond which itself is missing a large segment of wall enough so to easily squeeze through "you OK" mumbles brook worriedly, she nods with a slight tremor "yeah I’m good". Doubtfully he leads her forwards picking there way over the downed fences carefully to avoid clinging barbed wire and shattered glass finding themselves on the other side, with a sigh he pears into the abyss feeling the dreadful knot growing in his gut first step forwards closer “grace this seams stupid” “we’ll be fine!” she retorts only half believing herself "well...I’ll go first then" "no I’m smaller" "its not safe" "then why should you go?" not giving him a chance to speak she on  her hands and knees inching forwards  "brook!" her tone sends a shiver down his spine "Whats wrong?, are you hurt!" "no I’m fine but there seams to still be power!" "woah really, move over". they both stand in the dark room full of blinking lights some red others green among countless other colours all plastered across several servers "how are these still online?" he only shrugs in response still speachless "ring! ring!" grace leaps away frome once particularly large box "what did you touch?" sighs brook "nothing its this...phone?" an object sits mounted on the wall like an old phone but not quite the same instead a heavy cable runs straight into the ground and the whole front seams to strobe and pulse with hundreds of little red and green lights, a small mic hangs by its cord down the side. "bzzzzz!" as one they nearly leap out of there skin as a loud alert sound’s through the intercom followed by "A 1-9582 " through the robotic woman’s voice coming frome the front of the box "A 1-9582 ", grace clings to his side as the voice repeats "we should leave" "no not yet i want to try something" one light in particular is a flat static red not blinking like the many others, it also has a switch next to it. he reaches forwards only hesitation for meer moments, 'click' the alert ends and the room blazes to life, massive screens taking up almost all the wall space some reading 'enter prompt' on a blank background while others more interestingly seam to show diagnostics for something large. among other points there list details such as south gate closed, pressure chamber at 95.3% and east defence disabled along with other more innocuous messages, "woah look at this" she pulls him towards a desk covered in papers signed nasdc, he feels the blood drain frome his face "we have to go!" "why what are they?" "WE HAVE TO GO!". the pair stand outside hands on knees panting "what was that about" groans grace "i wanted to read those", "didn't you see what they where signed?" "na... something, what does that even mean?" "national airo space defence core" to his discomfort instead of looking discouraged an even brighter flame of excitement burns in her eyes "why did we have to leave that sounds so cool" "are you serious, we could be arrested for even touching them" "then we don't touch them" he snaps "this isn't some joke, those are clearly top secret government documents and i've already spent more than enough time in a cell" "its abandoned i'm shure nobodys coming back for them, i mean you did take that cake" "that's different". there argument is cut short as voices reach them, she turns ears twitching at the wretched racket "what is that?" "i don't know" he follows as she leads all problems forgotten, they round the corner met with a bizarre scene, an old man in a dark suit who seams oddly familiar stands on the makeshift platform with an eager crowd gathered bellow, a line of suit clad security separates him frome the bustling people "it looks like some sort of speech?". they join the crowd in time for the man to clear his throat and begin "my name is davian Alexander and for all the families who lost there loved ones in the recent bombings i am sorry" an irritated murmur flows through the onlookers "we are doing our best to bring justice to the culprits and in the mean time will be offering emergency housing in the nearby town of shallow well". something in his tone leaves brook with a deep sense of discomfort "i'll be available for questions over the next few hours-" "who are you?" yells an unknown woman "i am a 4 star lieutenant and i was sent hear on the orders of jason lancer the head commander at unifalls airforce bace to bring you this information" "what about our home" yells out another random boy "i'm sorry but we are doing everything within our power to stop these illegal attacks but-". a large man takes a stand atop an overturned boulder rising above all the rest "isn't that the baker" whispers grace "i think it just might be", he scans over his fellow community member eyes landing on the lieutenant "what do you and your 'commander' have to say about all the businesses that have been destroyed or all the family's that have been torn apart mabie you have something to say about the underfunded hospital overflowing with injured many of whom could succumb to there injuries any day now, nobody will even tell us why we civilians are being targeted". "there haven't been any report of casualties yet-" a roar looms over the crowd sending a shiver down the pairs spines , sensing the mayhem that's imminent he beckons several of his suits over building a tight packed circle around himself, in an unsurprising turn of events the same man yells over the bustling crowd "get him, he knows the truth!". brook feels a hand grasping his its a little to large to be grace so panicking he go's to pull away, but the grip is unrelenting "who has me" screams his inner voice as he's nearly trampled, somebody steps on his foot another person shoves him aside yet the hand still pulls him with unrelenting determination, just as his head drops bellow the surface of the torrent theres light and room to breath. on his knees he finds grace next to him looking equally shaken "you two shouldn't have gotten involved in that" they look up eyes wide seeing the savior, its asha of all people, she stands glaring down at them "what where you thinking, if either of your parent's where to find out about this..." "sorry" coughs grace "get up" she offers her a hand excluding brook who stands on his own without help, asha watches them clearly displeased not paying any mind to the riot behind them who now seam to be trying to break into the lieutenants private vehicle. "brook" there eyes lock "i expect you'll be taking her home now" "yes ms.asha" her demeanor softens "try not to get caught up in this nonsense, its not worth it" "we won't, promise" "good now go home".  

the riots fade behind them as they walk "are you ok?" sighs brook "i'm a little bruised up, but i'll be fine" "ok" "brook?" "hmm?" "who was that lady that saved us?" "i'm surprised you don't know her" she looks away a little shamefully "i've seen her before i just don't remember where" "she's my science teacher" "oh! that's right i saw her talking to my math teacher". brooks tail twitches at the mention of school and is if reading his mind grace sighs "do you miss school" "well yeah" "for as long as i can remember you allways hated getting up early in the morning, what do you miss about it" he glances away taken off guard by her strange question spending a few moments to ponder "i miss the plainness of it, i never had to worry about bombs dropping on my house or..., it was just so simple and easy then". "i don't miss it" "why not?, you allways had such good marks" she reaches for his hand sheepishly "i have never had so much fun in my life, i feel so free like i... we can do anything" "grace, you have changed so much these last few days" "have i?" homes  within sight "you used to be so cautious and well behaved, i remember when we where younger every time i would break any rule you just couldn't help yourself". "i was wasn't i..." the house looms before them in the light of early evening, the late summer flowers sway in the breeze, something in the wind is different, just a bit colder with a slight bite bringing with it heavy dark clouds of dought and turmoil, he places an arm around her shoulder "we should go inside, it looks like theres going to be a storm".

alike outside dark clouds lay heavy over his parents who sit waiting on the couch "take a seat" grumbles father the moment brook steps in the door "a... ok" grace go's for his room to give them space to speak only stoping at brooks mothers soft voice "we want to talk to both of you" she takes her seat next to brook on the rickety lounge chair a little to close for comfort. mother and father who for once at least appear not to be at odds pass each other a strange knowing gaze, he turns away locking eyes with brook "where leaving tomorrow, start packing your bags" "what!!!" wails grace outraged while brook only shutters eyes hollow and desolate of any emotion or life, "grace he had to have told you, i'm sorry but its just not safe hear anymore, it hasn't been for a long time". she stands doing her best to puff herself up "your bringing me with you" "grace no..." whispers brook tugging at her sleeve "sit down" "you can't be ok with this!" "please sit down", mother stands "we need to talk" father go's to stand "just us", brook follows as she leads down the hall past the bathroom stopping before his room just to kick the cabinet "did you put that stupid idea in her head" "no" then why is she asking to come, you know she can't" "i already told her that" "then...i shouldn't have snapped" "do we really have to go?" "i was down by the tower today, you must have seen it, and there was that riot and-" "i was there, me and grace" "then you know exactly why we can't stay" "but isn't there some way i could stay with her, like what if we left together" "i already spoke to her parents, the crazy pair are staying" "then i'm staying" "don't say such stupid things we have to stick together" her tone softens. "i know you and grace are close but i don't know what else to say, i meen after all this passes i'm shure we'll find them again" the lie in her tone is obvious "and what if we don't" "please brook don't make this any harder than it has to be, just try spending your last night together the best you can" knowing theres no use arguing further he concedes "can we just leave later tomorrow" "of coarse".

it doesn't take long for grace to calm after being promised she'll get to spend most of tomorrow with brook, the clouds roil above loosing vast showers across the mountains sending torrents down there grand frontiers forging new paths that branche endlessly becoming little more then streams one of wich lazily snakes its way past the living room window to only vanish among the rocks. he sits with mother on one side and grace other and father on the armchair, a movie plays, one that he has long since forgotten the title of, a few nachos lay waiting to be eaten on the tin baking tray but he's not hungry, hours pass in a haze, the credits play filling him with deep sadness knowing its only that much sooner "is she sleeping" whispers mother "yeah" "you know i told her she could sleep in your room" "i know" "will you two share a bed?" seeing him tense she forstalls "its your last night together it could be nice" "do you mean...?" "no, i meant you two are such close friends it would be nice to be close one last time" "i'll let her decide" "that's the right choice, your a good person and i'm not just saying that because i'm your mother" "uh...ok". "it isn't your fault" "i know" "i don't think you do, your still blaming yourself" "i wish none of this ever happened" "never forget the time you got to spend with her, cherish those memories and i'm shure you'll meet again" "thanks" she stands "i want to spend one last night with her mom, i'll see you in the morning" "i love you" "i love you to my boy". a few minutes pass the only indication of time being fathers steady snores "wake up" he gently prods her "its time to actually go to bed" "oh alright" he helps the half asleep grace find her way to his room who collapses into bed only bothering to take her sweater and shirt off before clonking out once more. brook watches her stomach twisting, heart breaking, he joins her taking off all but underwear pulling up close laying his chin on her soft head, the tears flow for many hours untill shear exhaustion drags his eyes closed leaving sleep to overtake him.  

rain, so much rain, a rabbit sprints through the underbrush afraid of the distant thunder finding a small tree hollow to hide in, steady drops of water fall on its tiny pink nose, lightning arks across the sky revealing the phantasmal outlines of three large jets sending it pushing further into the safety of the hobble, 'drip, drip, drip' eyes slide closed as exhaustion takes over, a fox stirs in the darkness, a rabbit sprints through the underbrush.

"don't you think its overkill sending three of us on this mission?" comes a young mans voice through the intercom, nobody responds "like all where doing is dropping a small payload-" "will you shut up",  jets darker than the darkest clouds glide through the night in a perfect triangle formation, he reaches for the mic hands wrinkled and old "i was put in charge as i have the most experience out of either of you, but yes this does seem like overkill but its not our place to question authority that only leads to problems" 'target inbound in 25 kilometers' reads the robotic voice through the intercom. "cover me while i prepare for launch" "copy that" having done this countless time preparations take mear moments 'target inbound 15 kilometers", his hand hovers over the button, one singal button to destroy hundreds of lives 'why do i do this, how many lives have i taken frome this seat' a tremore? that hasn't happened before how strange 'target inbound 10 kilometers'. 'it doesn't matter it never has, i shouldn't waste time on such futile thoughts' the lights of the city streat lamps glow bright and warm, not a singal car roaves the night 'target inbound 5 kilometers' his hand drops away frome the button 'what if i just didn't could i ever face him again, would i ever see my daughter?' he grabs hold of the mic with a sigh "fall into formation" "copy that" hand over the button a pleasant thought crosses his mind 'the boss was talking about a raise' click.

the two lay together in the nude cast in the soft glow of candle light "nichole" brooks mother looks up into her eyes "hmm?" "couldn't you stay another day?" "my beautiful clairence" "is that a no?" "i can't, for his sake" "i'm afraid for her" "don't be, i'm shure its only a passing fase" "do you think so?" "she'll find someone else", clairence glances away distantly "will you find someone else?" "never" "you and her are alot alike" "shhh..., lets just enjoy this last night" "i love you nichole, but you have to wake up" cold darkness and that voice repeating "wake up". grace shakes his arm "where you sleeping?" "ummm... yeah" "i'm thirsty" "ok cool go get some water" she turns to the door "can you come" "why..." "its so dark, i don't want to get lost" "uh-huh fine just let me get dressed" "your not dressed?" "nope". brook stands checking the time 1:12 "wow you really weren't dressed" "nope", only bothering to toss pants on he leads her down the hall past the flickering nightlight into the livingroom where dad still lays snoring and into to kitchen where she fills a small glass silently as not to wake him. the only light comes frome the streat lamps that shine through the small sink window shimmering with fast flowing rivulets of water "aren't you thirsty?" "not really" sighing he turns frome the window "i'm going back to bed" "can't you just stay for a few minutes" "are you ok?" "its raining so heavily" "yes it is" "i like the rain" "me to". the few minutes stretch into ten then twenty minutes, soon thirty minutes pass in relative silence "i love you brook" "i love you to, but its really late can we go back to bed?" "ok" she drinks back the water "i'm not thirsty anymore", a deep rumble reaches there ears different then the thunder earlier in the night, something about it has there hearts fluttering "is that a jet?" whispers grace? "yes". the ground bellow there feet trembles alike before only with multitudes greater fury sending the pair toppling over onto there sides in time to dodge the countless dishes that leap frome the cupboards, fathers already awake on his feet terror in his eyes as he turns this way and that only just spotting brook clutching grace close in the wretched pile of broken dishes. "what are you two doing, wheres your shirt, what was that!?!" the questions don't even register as he pulls grace to her feet, light shines frome the window but its to early to be morning, no that's not the sun, its fire. the three watch horrified at what lays beyond, the epicenter is only a few blocks away leaving nothing but scorched ground where homes stood mear moments ago while all else not leveled burns sending licking flames high into the sky. without a word father rushes to the car with the two close behind, flames burn around them only growing stronger the closer they get "no" stutters grace tears streaming down her cheeks, father slows "no! go faster!" "i can't... the roads... gone", fire, an abyss of fire is all that remains of what was once the road leading to school, and past graces house. she screams out in soul rending agony as brook silently trembles face contorted beyond recognition eyes burning, the passing minutes blur into a twisted chorus of weeping a sobs only interrupted by father pulling into the driveway stiffly stumbling out of the veicle leaving the two to there own ends, in time the sirens fade and the fires die, rain and sleep are all that remain, "i'm sorry, i'm so sorry".    
 
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