《Pinnacle book 3》


 Valery

    When the flames burn brightest is when the darkest shadows are cast.


    We create the enemies we so fear.


    But as the flame dies


    the darkness has no need for light.


    The Pinnacle of Zoa


    Storms


    <h4>Valery 1</h4>


    She had come home to no one but a massive husky named Darwin. Her sister were all at a boarding school and her older brother and sister were elsewhere. The sounds of her footsteps and tears echoed through the grand halls of the house. The fact that she could hear each and every tear hit the floor did not help. But Darwin being the smart dog that he was would recognize the sound and soon be at her side.


    She knew Darwin would soon run up to her and lick her cheeks as he always did as she ran her hands through his dark fur. She jumped into bed landing face first. She lay in the bed with Darwin at her feet waiting for the right moment to lick the salty tears off her sun kissed cheeks. She turned on the TV if you could even call it that anymore as it projected a 3D image of a new flesh dissolving bacteria found in the ocean. She heard a knock at the door and wondered if it was Sam, one of the only boys she knew that didn''t want to get in her pants.


    She had changed into her pitch black silk pajamas that matched her hair. She slid off her bed that matches her pajamas and walked to the door with Darwin at her side. She walked back through the halls crammed with million dollar paintings and hand painted pictures of her father holding her at different ages. The walls were also decorated with pictures of her father''s best friends. She reached the thick oak door that towered above her and opened it to find just who she expected to see and two others.


    "Hello Valery." said Sam as Val looked past his short blonde, well kept hair and blue eyes to see the two tall twins that stood behind him.


    "Hi Sam, who are your friends?" Asked Val patting Darwin''s head.


    "This is Bertie and Jerome, they''re the guys that made the winning touchdown last week at the football game" said Sam as Val looked at the identical twins with black hair and brown eyes with their varsity football jackets on.


    "Come on in." said Val.


    When they stepped passed the door Val said "I have to introduce you to Darwin he''s my dog. He just needs to know your names and scent so he can find you if you get lost in the house".


    "Wow this place really is big, it makes me wonder why you don''t have tons of parties here" said Bertie as Valery quickly responded.


    "Unless you wanted a quick death you wouldn''t make a ton of noise when my brother is sleeping."


    "Who''s your brother?" Asked Jerome examining the house.


    "You know that guy who recently became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world after knocking the previous champion out with one hit." said Val flashing her ever breathtaking smile "that''s him."


    Bertie and Jerome both looked dumbstruck and said "oh" in unison.


    Val signaled them to follow her to her room.


    "How old is he?"Asked Bertie.


    "He is 19 and in case you are wondering I''m 16" said Val as Jerome muttered "so close" under his breath.


    "So am I going to teach you girls nuclear physics or what?" said Val looking at her purple shoes that matched her eyes.


    "wait you''re the tutor, I was expecting someone older." said Bertie with an odd expression.


    "Well expect the unexpected because I am smarter than the three of you combined" replied Val in a teasing voice.


    They made it to her room and she turned the TV on to display what she would be teaching them. After hours of trying to teach Bertie and Jerome as they absent mindedly looked at her, she decided to give them a tour. Sam had taken twelve pages of notes during her 3 hour lecture.


    "Come on guys I am going to show you around the house."said Val patting Darwin''s head and walking to the door.


    She was going to show them the weight room just to start, and to show them that her brother Atlas lived up to the name. They walked into the weight room that had every piece of workout equipment they could imagine but each specially designed for her brothers monstrous strength.


    "This is the weight room." She said and spread her arms out as if to present the massive size of the room.


    Sam and Jerome were left speechless but Bertie being the air head he was said "This is a little much for one guy don''t you think, he can''t be that strong".


    Val smiled a little and turned to Bertie saying "want to try to lifting his weights. If you can you could get anything you want from the fridge"


    Bertie replied with a grin "DEAL!".


    She walked over to where her brother would bench press and said to Bertie "Try it".


    Bertie laid down and got himself ready by taking a few deep breaths then gripped the bar. He exhaled and grunted. He was unable to move the weight and had no chance of moving it.


    "How much does this damn thing weigh?" said Bertie as his brother chuckled.


    "Five thousand pounds" said Val smiling.


    "Let me try" said Jerome walking to the bench. But the result was the same as his brother.


    "Can we get a snack?" Asked Sam pushing up his glasses.


    Val responded "Sure thing sweet pea" as she led them to the kitchen.


    They followed Val but it seemed to be Darwin leading the group to the kitchen. They reached the kitchen that had a large glass door lining the walls. The walls had massive amounts of food on shelves behind the glass door. The room itself was spotless and had an array of cooking utensils. There was a stove for every method of cooking along with a massive tree shape spice holder.


    "Atlas cooked all of this before he left so anything that does not have a sticky note on it is first come first serve" said Val as Bertie and Jerome rushed to find food. Sam walked slowly to the mountains of food that lined the walls. Darwin''s head brushed up against Valery¡¯s shoulder.


    "Yes you can have some too." said Val as Darwin made his way to the fridge.


    They all had eaten whether it was beef hamburgers, chocolate cake, some sandwiches with potatoes or in Darwin''s case roast lamb chops. Val had decided to eat later but for now she would entertain her guests.


    "Want to see the pool or want to hit the city" said Val


    The boys who looked at each other and said "Let''s go".


    "Whose car will we be taking?" Asked Val ruffling her ebony hair .


    "We don''t have a car" said Bertie.


    "I got a bike if you all want to ride in a basket" said Sam as Val giggled.


    "OK then we will take my car" said Val with a grin.


    They walked to the garage, Val turned on the lights revealing rows of cars some from different centuries and some so old that the parts had to be hand crafted.


    "We can take any one of these cars, you guys can decide" said Val.


    "How about this one" said Sam pointing at a long white low riding car with six wheels.


    The car had a classic 18 century look to it that her father admired. He had seen the car in a movie as a child and decided to have it custom made.


    "OK we will take that one," said Val but then her alarm clock went off


    "Crap sorry guys I forgot I have to go somewhere maybe I could pick you guys up tomorrow and we can all go to school together?"


    "OK then see you tomorrow" said Sam.


    "Later baby face" said Bertie.


    "Later!" said Jerome with a wave.


    "Darwin, will show you them the way out?" said Val.


    She ran into the car and drove off as quickly as she could to meet Echo. She realized that she only had pajamas and went back home. She picked a tight black dress then headed off again.


    "Crap I''m going to be late" She thought to herself heading off towards the outskirts of the city.


    She parked her car near the road and walked to where she had first met Echo three months ago. She saw him in the exact same place where she had first met him.


    "Hey" yelled Val and made Echo jump a bit.


    "You came back again?" said Echo in a puzzled voice.


    "Why wouldn''t I. I''ve come back before" said Val winking at him.


    "Most people forget me or they just don''t know I''m here" said Echo in his thick husky voice.


    Valery walked up to him with the sound of rocks crunching under her feet. The crunching was muffled by the sound of the rushing river behind Echo.


    "I''m different" She said wrapping her arms around him.


    "You are that''s why you aren''t scared of me" he replied.


    "So what are you planning on showing me today" said Val with a wink.


    "I am planning on showing you where I came from" said Echo.


    Valery looked into his eyes that had no iris or pupils just full black with small spots that looked like tiny stars as he stared into her eyes that looked like shards of amethyst that formed her iris.


    "Let''s go then. What are you waiting for" said Valery.


    "If that''s what you want" replied Echo and began to walk her to the hidden cave system near by.


    He held her hand as they stepped into the cave that had its walls lined with swords and armor. The tables were packed with maps, books, and more swords.


    "How did you get all this?" Asked Val admiring a large mace on the wall .


    "My creator gave it to me before he left" said Echo.


    "Your what?" Responded Val with a puzzled look on her face.


    "My creator he is the one who made me. He is the one that gave me live and a reason to exist" Echo said with pride.


    "Wow you must really admire your dad" said Val taking a close look at a book nearby.


    "He is not my father I am a piece of him. But I feel that I am not worthy to calling myself part of him" Echo said looking down.


    "So he''s your adoptive dad?" said Val.


    "In a way yes" Echo responded.


    Val looked around the room and noticed that one of the large swords on the wall had engravings that glowed blue.


    "Mind if I pick it up" said Val pointing at sword.


    "I doubt that you could but go ahead and try" said Echo with a smile.


    Val gripped the sword that felt warm to the touch and lifted it with ease. Echo watched as she did this. His eyes grew wide and he took a small step back.


    "How are you lifting that" said Echo dumbstruck by what he had just seen.


    "Because it''s not heavy?" She replied placing it back on the wall.


    "I have something very important to do today can you come back tomorrow. So sorry I forget that I had to do that" said Echo looking at the door.


    "Oh, ok," said Val walking to the door.


    "Same time same place this Friday?" She added.


    Echo gave her a hug she blushed and he said "If that''s what you want".


    She left and headed to her car. She dashed away leaving a cloud of dust behind as she headed home. She got home and was once again greeted by Darwin who instantly started to sniff her and gave a look of displeasure.


    "I''m going to sleep, good night, Darwin" said Val patting Darwin''s head as she walked to her room.


    Her alarm clock began to sing at 6 and she got up showered brushed her teeth and ate. She choose a short skirt that reached halfway down her thigh. And a tank top the hugged her curves. She arrived at Sam''s house and was texted the detections to the twins home. She found them near the place she had found Echo.


    "This is a really nice car" said Sam patting the car.


    "My dad''s best friend Logan made it" said Val stepping on the gas.


    They arrived at school and soon began to float to their classes. Valery quickly fell asleep in her class but was awakened by a substitute teacher.


    "What do you want" Responded Valery rubbing her sleepy eyes.


    "Answer the questions young lady" said the old hag placing her hands on her fat hips.


    Val glanced at the board and asked "Which one?".


    The lady pointed at the board and Val looked on with a blank expression. She answered the question in a sarcastic tone.


    "You''re right but pay attention" said the hag.


    A boy called out "You don''t have to worry about her Miss Crane. She''s a prodigy".


    Miss Crane gave a look of displeasure and continued through class. The rest of her classes passed without problems with the exception of the usual insults that the popular girls gave her. She found Sam talking to a girl with blonde hair. They hugged and he walked away.


    "Who was that" said Val with a joy.


    "Just a friend" said Sam trying to act natural.


    "If it''s only a friend why are you blushing" said Val with a smile.


    "Just because I want to" Sam responded attempting to not sound stupid.


    "Let''s just find your friends before you say something stupid again" said Val heading to where she had told them to meet up. She found them talking to a boy who had a black jacket.


    She walked up and asked "Who''s your friend".


    The boy turned and she could see hair so black it could only match hers. She instantly recognized the night sky eyes.


    "Hi my name is..." The boy stopped and stared at her.


    She felt not butterfly but fireworks in her tummy. She jumped forward and hugged him. He spun her around and stopped slowly with his hands around her waist. She being shorter looked up at him with her arms around him.


    "Do you go to school here" said Val still holding him close.


    "Are you alright it seemed like you were falling. And to answer your question yes I do go here" said Echo with a slanted smile.


    "How do you guys know him?" Asked Val.


    "He ummm knows our dad" said Bertie facing his brother.


    "Maybe we could all go to my house and hang out" said Val with glee. They all agreed and walked to her car. Soon they had arrived at her home.


    "Echo because Darwin has not met you yet he will have to sniff you" said Valery opening the door.


    She opened the door and saw Darwin about fifty feet away in an attack position. She could see just how tense Darwin was. Waves of heat were flowing off his body and his massive rows of razor teeth were showing.


    "Darwin stop that leave them alone" said Val placing her hands on her hips. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Darwin''s caller would translate his thoughts through a microphone. Darwin barked and said "No boy is bad boy must leave he will hurt he is evil".


    "No one here is bad but if you don''t stop being mean you will sit in the corner" said Val.


    "Boy with eyes black is bad" said Darwin sitting down.


    "That''s it go to the corner and think about what you have said" Yelled Valery walking to the living room.


    "But sister..." Darwin said with sadness.


    "No" Darwin was interrupted by Valery. They all followed Val to her room.


    "Sorry about that he has never done that before" said Val with a hint of sadness.


    "Your dog... It can talk?" said Bertie in a chopped up voice.


    "No he has a caller that translates what he¡¯s thinking" said Val still slightly saddened.


    "Because it''s spring break we can go anywhere on Earth" said Val hiding the odd feeling she felt.


    Everyone but Echo looked wonderstruck. The boys began to talk about where to go and what to do.


    "I don''t think I can go" said Echo looking dead into Valery''s eyes.


    "No you are coming with me or I am not talking to you again" said Valery with a wink.


    In Echo''s mind this was unacceptable he would never want to be away from her, not even for a moment. Or at least that''s what Valery hoped.


    "I¡¯ll go" He quickly responded in what looked like fear.


    "So where are we going lady''s" said Val.


    They looked at one another and said "Prime".


    "Prime" Asked Echo looking confused.


    "Yes Prime the most beautiful place on earth" said Val with pride.


    "I think the most beautiful place is where you stand" Replied Echo with a blank expression.


    Or that''s what she wished he would have said. But even the thought made Val blush. Then she came up with a plan. While they played games Val booked a house and called Matt to see if one of them could fly her over. She was able to get Lobo who was the colder of the two. He would be in her backyard in twenty minutes with a private jet.


    "Hey time to go" said Val popping into the room.


    "But we don''t have our stuff" Replied Bertie and Jerome in unison.


    "Don''t worry about it. Where is Echo?" Asked Val looking around.


    "He went to changed his shirt or something" Replied Sam staring at the TV.


    Val went off to find him. She found a door ever so slightly open and looked inside. She could see Echo''s god like upper body for the first time. She could see the black tattoo on his back and red tattoo on his chest.


    When he turned she could see a blue tattoo on his left arm and a silver tattoo on his right. She bit her lip as he cleaned a black and white tattoo on his chest. She looked away feeling ashamed for looking at some in such an inappropriate manner.


    " Hey Echo" She call out as if she were looking for him.


    "I''m in here" he called out.


    He stepped out with his black shirt and blue jeans.


    They walked together to the jet. They all got on the jet and blasted off. Everyone had their faces up against the windows, well everyone except Echo and Val. They arrived at the airport stepping into sun, sand and luxury. They walked together to the mall.


    "OK boys this is a mall you can buy clothes here" said Val presenting the store.The boys walk around as if they just had snuck their way into a bank at night. They didn''t even touch the clothes.


    "Everything is on me just don''t look at the price tags" Yelled Val after minutes of the odd goings on.


    They began to pick at the cloths as if deciding whether to eat something they just found. The store clerks began to help them after coming to the conclusion they were hopeless. Val saw that Echo still had no one to help him so she took it upon herself to do it.


    She walked over sat him down and began pull clothes from the shelves. First she gave him a larger stack of clothes and pointed at a stall to change in.


    "What do you want me to do" said Echo puzzled by her actions.


    "Change your clothes of course" said Val with a smile.


    Echo began to take off his shirt the lowered his pants. Val only watched for a moment blushing to what looked at the maximum human extent. Then reached for his hands pulling his pants up.


    "Is something wrong" said Echo looking deep into her eyes.


    She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. He only looked at her until he tried to move but fell back after trying to step back. Her head hit his as they fell and his head hit the floor. She somehow pinned him down and they both cringed from the pain.


    (Meanwhile on Mars) Uriel choked on his coffee, "My daddy scenes are tingling".


    "For the last time nothing is wrong with your daughter''s, you¡¯re just imagining things again! And you don''t have daddy scenes" Logan Yelled from the hologram.


    (Back on Earth) She sat there for a moment until she realized what it looked like.


    "Hey Val..." said Sam as he turned away pretending he had not seen anything.


    Val stood up and so did Echo still slightly dazed by the impact.


    "Put your clothes back on" Yelled Val placing his pants back on. She looked up and saw that he already had his shirt on.


    "How about we go and pay" said Val walking away. Everyone had picked out their clothes and were now headed to the beach.


    "You guys go ahead I am going to find a place to stay" said Val walking away. She knew the perfect place to go. She smiled to herself knowing it was a perfect plan.


    "Hi I want to have two rooms" said Val looking around.


    "How many nights and what kinds of rooms" replied the man.


    "Two nights, a honeymoon suite, and a regular room" said Val placing down a credit card.


    She got her card and walked to the beach. When she arrived she saw a small rugged house made of driftwood and no sign of Echo.


    "Hello?" She yelled in the small house.


    A large tunnel was hidden underneath. She looked over to the right of the house and saw a sad sand castle with the letters J, B on it. She walked down into the tunnel made of white sand.


    "What are you guys doing and how did you make this" Asked Val looking around.


    "Well I don¡¯t like being in the light so I made this hole for myself and they joined me down here" said Echo petting a sand crab.


    "Do you want to go into the water with me?" Asked Valery with a beat red face.


    "Yes where is it?" Asked Echo placing down the crab.


    "Just follow me" said Valery with a smile.


    "Here" said Valery pointing at the ocean. She ran at the water and dived in. Echo walked slowly and looked at the water.


    "I can''t swim" said Echo kicking the small waves. Val walked over to him and held his hand.


    "I will show you how," said Val.


    "And where did the boys go any way?"


    "They left with some girls after spending some time in my home" said Echo walking into the water.


    "Are you going to take off your shirt?" Asked Valery with a smile.


    "Is something wrong with it?" Asked Echo looking at his shirt. But befor Val could answer a wave hit them.


    "That¡¯s why it is going to get wet" said Valery with a grin.


    "That is no problem" Replied Echo.


    "Well maybe take it off to swim better or something" said Val. Echo looked at his shirt and tried pulling it off but got it stuck over his head.


    "I can not move my arms" said Echo in a monotone voice.


    "Do you need help" Val asked with a giggle.


    Val got started helping before he could reply. It reminded her of when she would help her sister put on sweaters. She left his shirt near the driftwood house and Valery was ready to teach.


    "I am going to teach you to swim" Valery repeated.


    "You can''t." Answered Echo.


    "I sink". said Echo.


    " That''s why I am going to teach you" said Valery.


    "You don''t understand I am far too heavy" Replied Echo.


    Valery wondered if he was like Atlas, unable to swim due to the density of his body.


    "So you really can''t swim can you" said Val.


    "I really can not" Answered Echo.


    "Do you want to go find the boys" Asked Val.


    Echo nodded and followed Val. They walked along the beach until they reached a party. She was the boys partying with some girls. Well for the most part Sam seemed to have landed a date.


    "Hey guys" Yelled Val out to them.


    "Hey Val get over here let me introduce you to everyone" said Jerome.


    "This Patty, Kily, Jim, Petter, Samantha, Rick and Tim" said Jerome gesturing to the small group out of the mass that he did know.


    "Hi I''m Valery and this is Echo" said Valery.


    Three of the girls nearly spit out their drinks and all asked "Is he your boyfriend". Valery turned bright red and opened her mouth but could not speak.


    Echo replied "As of yet we have never been together".


    "So are you interested" said a girl placing her arms around Echo.


    "Sorry I am with someone" Replied Echo.


    "How about for tonight you pretend that I''m your girl" said the dirty blonde.


    "That would make me confused because I would see two of her here" said Echo.


    "Get off of him Patty he''s not interested in you," said the curvy black haired girl. "He need more than you can give".


    Val stood nearby as a statue of rage. Some more began people walked over and Bertie introduce them.


    "Hey guys these are my friends Valery and Echo".


    "What do you think you are doing" said a boy pushing Echo.


    "Standing" Replied Echo. The boy swung at Echo. Echo caught the boy''s fist.


    Then lifted him off the ground and said "If you want to fight learn what you are fighting with first". Echo then tossed the boy away.


    "I will be leaving now" said Echo.


    "You better run" said the boy throwing a glass bottle.


    Echos hand shot back catching the bottle. He crushed the bottle and began to walk back. He walked over and slammed the boy with his inner arm then before he could hit the ground was lifted by his foot. Echo did not stop there as the boy rose from the impact of his foot he slammed his fists into his back. Then as the boy lay nearly unconscious he pulled him up by his hair.


    "If you ever tell me what to do again I will kill you" said Echo in a stone dead voice then walked away. Val followed him feeling what happened was her fault.


    "Hey are you OK" Asked Valery placing her hand on his shoulder.


    "I want to be with you tonight" said Echo placing his hand on hers.


    Valery could not believe her luck the one boy she had ever felt affection towards was attracted to her. She did not respond but simply hugged him.


    "We have a lot of time what do you want to do" said Valery.


    "Retrieve my shirt" Answered Echo walking way.


    Valery could see a small sand crab scuttling behind him. Valery began to notice he would keep looking off to the side every so often. She could see what looked like a black pigeon. She knew it could not be a crow because they had gone extinct years ago. She watched Echo walk to his little driftwood home and pick up his shirt and she could have sworn his tattoos shimmered and moved. Echo and Val walked together towards the hotel.


    Valery wondered if Echo really liked her or if just had interest in other things.


    Valery said "Do you want to go to the amusement park".


    "So long as we do not go to any Mirror Mazes" said Echo.


    Echo followed Val as she ran to the park and purchased wristbands. She looked around and found a haunted house on a large map.


    "We should go here" said Val pointing at the map.


    Echo smiled and nodded. He began to follow Val. They walked together but people looked at her in a odd way. She felt uncomfortable and thought maybe they were looking at Echo. She got in line after passing through the crowds that smelled of cotton candy. The smell of the sea still filled the air and was mixed with the scent of popcorn.


    When she and Echo walked to the front of the line the woman asked "How many".


    "Two" Replied Valery stepping a little closer to Echo.


    The woman seemed confused and smiled a crooked smile.


    When the car pulled up the woman asked "Where is the other?".


    Val said "Him" and pointed at Echo.


    "Oh sorry I didn''t see you" said the woman looking up and down Echo as he sat down.


    They went through the ride as realistic animatronics would pop out and scream. Valery marveled at how realistic the robots looked as they ran across the tracks of the ride.


    "Close your eyes" said Echo looking into her eyes.


    Valery closed her eyes and wondered if he was going to kiss her. She heard a snap that sounded like braking bone and the splatter of blood. She waited and soon became inpatient. She felt a hand touch her face and lips kiss her forehead. She felt electric and if there had been enough light to see her face it would have been bright red.


    Echo now sat silently beside her and looking into what he most likely saw as darkness. But she could see crystal clear in the dark something she found useful at times. She would have found this ride fun of it were not for the fact she had never been frightened before. She simply wanted to be alone with Echo. She could see Echos expression but it never changed he never blinked.


    When they reached the end of the ride Echo stood up and gave her his hand. They continued to hop on and off rides until the sun fell. Valery pulled out her cell phone and Called the twins.


    "Hey where are you guys it''s later and don''t leave Sam" said Valery.


    "Yeah OK we are on our way but ummm Sam''s got a girl with him so I think he is spending the night with her" Replied Jerome.


    "Oh umm well then just you guys" Replied Valery as she glanced at Echo.


    They all with the exception of Sam were now in their rooms. Valery was looking through all her clothing thinking about what she should wear. She found a black silk nightgown she hoped would impress Echo.


    She got out of her room and found Echo sleeping on the floor. She stamped around quietly and wondered how he could sleep so quickly. She looked at his ever stoic face and wondered what his tattoos looked like up close. She tiptoed over and pulled the thin blanket that covered him as he lay on the floor. She marveled at the intricate shapes that covered his body. She lay in her bed disappointed that she was unable to do anything with him. She drifted into sleep wondering about what she would do when she got back to school. She heard the door open and wondered if Echo was going out.


    Echo was standing at the door and watched as the man at the door pulled out a gun. Echo smashed his elbow into the man''s head splattering the door in crimson. The sound of breaking bone and brain matter hitting the door filled the still night air. Echo proceed to rammed his hand through the throat of the second man. Echo gripped his spine and tossed him across the room. His body crumpled as it hit the wall. Echos arms were covered with crimson and shards of bone. Echo forced his hand through the last man''s chest and ripped out his heart. Echo notice one of the men had a necklace. Echo pulled the necklace off and placed it in his pocket.


    "What the hell just happened!!" Screamed Valery pulling out a gun.


    "These men brought us trinkets but they slipped and got hurt" Replied Echo.


    Valery looked at the bloody mangled bodies that lay on the floor and could not believe his stupid answer.


    "How stupid do you think someone would have to be to believe that!" Screamed Valery pulling down the gun.


    "I have proof I have a trinket" said Echo pulling out the necklace.


    "Pass me the phone I have to call my dad" said Valery as she sat down and pushed the hair out of her face.


    "Hello this is Atlas speaking to who do I owe this pleasure" said Atlas on the phone.


    "Wait why did the phone not call dad?" said Valery.


    "Oh hello Valery all calls to our father have been rederrederect to me. Is someone wrong" said Atlas.


    "Well ummm how should I say some people tried breaking into my hotel and were going to kidnap me but my friend Echo killed them...." Whispered Valery as the phone when dead.


    Valery waited for Atlas to call back and hoped he was not angry.


    "Hello" said Atlas.


    "You crushed the phone didn''t you" Replied Valery. She could feel his godly rage as he spoke.


    "That is not important. How many people are dead exactly" said Atlas rubbing his temples.


    Valery looked over at the mangled corpse and said in a whispered voice


    "Three".


    She could hear the sound of his weights being tossed around and mangled in the background.


    "What should we do" Asked Valery as Echo sat beside her.


    "I already have a clean up crew on the way so just stay out of their way and pretend the noise was something else" Replied Atlas.


    Valery looked at Echo who somehow managed to get clean.


    "For now we just have to wait until the cleaning crew arrives" said Valery. Echo stood up and walked out the door.


    "Echo where are you going" Yelled Valery. He jumped off the third story of the building and landed besides a woman.


    Valery instantly sprinted down the stairs and ran to the woman.


    "Lucy Lucy" Screamed Valery picking up the lifeless corpse of Lucy.


    "No no no you can''t be dead you can" said Valery looking at the bullet wound in her chest.


    "She has been dead for three minutes" Replied Echo.


    Valery began to cry and Echo seemed frightened now.


    "I can fit this please don''t cry. But I need something thing living to trade" said Echo.


    Valery sat tears running down her face and responded with only more tears. Echo pulled a black knife from his pocket and rammed it into the silver tattoo on his right arm. Echo placed his right hand on Lucy''s chest and Valery moved back ever so slightly.


    His blood matched his eyes and Valery shot up as Lucy''s body began to move once more. His blood ran to to her wounds and pulled them shut. She sat up gasping for breath as Echo help her.


    Valery was speechless and stupefied by this impossible event. The tattoo on his right arm had burned into his arm and lost its silver shine. She instantly hugged Lucy and would not let go.


    Echo could feel nothing, a part of him had just died. He had a emptiness burn itself into his very core. And something was attempting to fill it, something beyond age. Something hell itself would not be able to contain within its darkest depths.


    This thing had waited billions of years for just one moment to be able to take him. It''s eons old grasp wrapped him in darkness crushing what remained of his existence.


    "Thank you" Cried Valery holding Echo.


    Echo could feel her warm embrace fill him with a feeling no words could ever hope to describe. Her smile was like the sun burning away the darkness her embrace like a blanket covering a fearful child. Whatever she had done to him could not fully be explained.


    "Hey are you guys okay" Yelled Jerome looking over the balcony.


    "Yeah we are OK we are okay" said Valery still holding Lucy.


    The clean up crew had arrived and picked up the bodies. They sterilized the area removing all evidence of any events that had happened including erasing all the cameras.


    "Hey Lucy it''s been a pretty a crazy night how about you stay with me and Echo for tonight" said Valery.


    "Holy Hell I didn''t even see him" said Lucy now looking wonderstruck.


    "He saved your life I have no idea what he did but we will talk about that later" said Valery pointing at Echo.


    Whatever Echo had done was beyond anything she had seen before. Her mind was still rattled by what she had seen him do.


    Valery thoughts were interrupted by Lucy asking Echo "Do you have a girlfriend".


    "What the hell is wrong with you. You were almost dead five minutes ago and now you are picking up a date" Yelled Valery sitting on her bed.


    "Well I almost died so live while you are living right" Replied Lucy.


    "Can we talk in private for a moment Lucy" said Valery with a wicked glear.


    "Yesss" said Lucy as Valery pushed her into the bathroom.


    "What is up is he your boyfriend or something" said Lucy picking up and looking at the pile of clothes Valery bought for her.


    "Well no but I had dibs on him" said Valery kicking at some clothes.


    "Well how about this who ever can kiss him first gets to keep him" said Lucy fitting herself in a sleek black T-shirt that barely passed her under garments.


    "What do you think" said Lucy with a spin.


    "Yeah looks nice but he is not an object you can''t just keep him" said Valery with pride.


    "Then why did you call dibs" Replied Lucy.


    "OK fine whoever kisses him first keeps him" Replied Valery.


    Lucy''s light blond hair swung back and forth as she hopped. "Lips or cheek" said Lucy winking her electric blue eyes.


    "Lips" said Valery but at that moment Lucy ran out the door and up to Echo.


    "So do have a girlfriend" said Luck pulling at her shirt.


    "No?" said Echo after a moment of thinking.


    "Good" said Lucy right before grabbing Echo and kissed him.


    What the hell is going on? I don''t know I think it''s a way to say thank you.. What should we do. Just go with it.. What is going on are we under attack... No I think she is saying hello or thank you.. Maybe it''s a thank you after all you did bring her back from death.... What do you think? I only know how to kill things don''t ask me what is happening... She is reaching under our armor what do I do? Counter attack do anything you can aim for the throat... Got it. She dubble countered by placing our hands near her back. Try pushing her down it may slow her down¡­ Got it. Still not working I give up.


    (meanwhile in Valery''s head) I don''t care if she just died I will kill her again. How dare she that is not fair she is probably just forcing him to do that there is no way he likes that.


    "Echo" Screamed Valery emanating anger.


    "Can I talk to you for a moment" said Valery clenching her fist.


    "Yes of course" Replied Echo helping himself off of Lucy.


    Valery pulled Echo into the kitchen and started.


    "Why did you let her k-kiss you" said Valery with her arms crossed. Lucy now sat legs crossed on the bed.


    "She was saying thank you for saving her life" Replied Echo.


    "No it''s a way to say I like you" Yelled Valery.


    "What if I love you" asked Echo.


    Valery was left with only rage and ecstasy. "Did he really love me? No it could not be he had just kissed Lucy" she thought to herself .


    "W-what do you mean by that?" Asked Valery.


    "What would you do if you loved someone" Asked Echo.


    Valery thought for a moment and said "you hold their hands and kiss them".


    Valery grabbed Echo hands and leaned in kissing nothing up the air. Lucy had run in at that moment and pulled Echo to the side.


    "Hey Echo you look hungry would you like a sandwich" said Lucy.


    "Yes please and thank you" Replied Echo in a what seemed to be seductive tone.


    Valery wondered why the only person she found attractive was such a womanizer. Lucy got to making the sandwiches and Valery noticed the clock. It was 4:00 am and she had barely slept.


    "Am I understanding this right if you want to say hello to someone you kiss them or is it a way to thank them" asked Echo.


    "You don''t kiss people and don''t let Lucy kiss you" said Valery.


    Echo nodded and said "Why did you handle the situation so well. And by that I mean when I killed those men".


    Valery knew the true reason but had no way to explain it.


    "It''s a long story" said Valery as her mind went wild.


    Echo seemed to hold something in but said "Go ahead I have more time than the ageless".

 Atlas 2

    The thundering of hundreds of pounds of metal filled the air. Atlas huffed and puffed like a angry bull as his fists crumpled the steel punching bag. He began to pick up speed each strike coming one after another at such a speed they began to sound a one continuous impact.


    "Try to take breaths a little bit deeper" said Trinity the A.I.


    "Thank you for the tip" said Atlas with a grin.


    His short dark brown hair contrasted his fiery golden red eyes.


    "Atlas your new bridal is here" said Trinity with her soft British accent.


    Atlas walked to the door and stood in front of the door wondering what he would say.


    "Hello come in. No that sounds creepy, what about hi. No that is to informal what do I say maybe I should just open the door and wing it." Whispered Atlas in a confused tone.


    He opened the door and saw a woman with wild fiery red hair and eyes simply breathtaking eyes. The shades of blue and green hugged one another in a vibrant way. The woman had a work dress on and held a black suitcase. Her lips were a crimson red and fit well with her freckles.


    "Nobody''s home" said Atlas shutting the door.


    He heard a knock at the door and a beautiful voice say "Yes there is I just saw you. So are you going to let me in or am I going to have to blow the doors down".


    He could already imagine her standing there with her hands on her hips.


    Atlas opened the door and said "Hi I''m Atlas please come in".


    The woman was even more beautiful up close and he wondered if she was single.


    "So is there somewhere you would like to do this" said the beautiful woman.


    Atlas opened his mouth but no noise came out. He mostly pointed and then began to walk to a dressing room. When they arrived Atlas was rose red.


    The woman had a red measuring tape and asked Atlas "Can you take your shirt off".


    Atlas knew he had a hard time grasping the buttons on his shirt and would have to ask for help.


    "I can''t do it well the buttons are too small" said Atlas looking at the floor.


    The woman smiled and said "Don''t worry I got it".


    Atlas was almost double her size and needed to get down on one knee in order to let her unbutton the shirt.


    "So how old are you" Asked the woman as she unbuttoned the shirt.


    "I am eighteen" Replied Atlas as she completed the last button.


    Atlas removed his shirt and his godly form seemed to interest the woman.


    "What''s your name" Asked Atlas attempting to get a reaction.


    "Right forgive me my name is Jinx" said the woman.


    She pulled the measuring tape out and attempted to wrap it around his waist. When Atlas was on his knees they were almost eye to eye. She wrapped her arms around his waist but could not reach the other side. She pressed herself against him and pulled the tape around him.


    "You''re a big guy" Jinx said looking him in the eyes.


    "Thanks" said Atlas looking down.


    Jinx moved the tape up and down his body taking measurements as she did.


    "Mind if I take a picture with you? You don''t even have to put a shirt on" said Jinx with a giggle.


    Atlas was overwhelmed with joy and hoped she liked him.


    "Yeah that sounds great" said Atlas returning to rose red.


    Jinx pulled out her phone and held it out to take a photo. But she was far too small to capture Atlas in the photo with her.


    "Mind if you take the pictures" said Jinx passing Atlas the phone.


    She stood in front of Atlas as he took the picture. His massive body seemed almost like a wall in comparison to hers. She looked like an angel shadowed by the devil himself.


    "Thanks I hope you don''t mind if I use this" said Jinx placing the phone in her pocket.


    "Not at all" Replied Atlas.


    "This might sound a little weird but do you want to hang out after I finish making your new clothes." said Jinx with a half smile.


    "That would be amazing" Replied Atlas reaching into the sky and flexing out of habit.


    When Atlas did this she bit one end of her glasses and smiled.


    "Mind if I give you a tour of my home" said Atlas looking back.


    "Show me your world" said Jinx taking the lead. Atlas showed her the kitchen to start.


    "This is my third favorite place in the world because it has food" said Atlas standing next to a stove.


    "Who cooked all this" said Jinx looking at the mountains of food.


    "Well I did" Replied Atlas leaning on a table.


    "You''re quite the cook" said Jinx looking at a cake.


    "You can have anything you want" said Atlas shrugging.


    "How about you. You look pretty sweet" said Jinx giving Atlas a wink.


    Atlas wondered if he had just imagined what he just heard but that idea was erased when she said "So can I take a bite".


    "How about we get to know each other first maybe we can go to the carnival by the beach" said Atlas.


    "Fine let''s go right now" said Jinx walking out the door.


    Atlas wondered if he should get the clothing made first or go. His mind when with that he thought would be simpler.


    "Let''s go then" said Atlas in a state of ecstasy.


    Atlas hopped onto his custom motorcycle and helped Jinx on to the machine. The warm spring air brushed his skin and Jinx¡¯s warm hands gripped around his leather jacket. By the time they arrived it was almost dark. Atlas walked up to the tickets booth and bought two wristbands.


    ¡°So were you from?¡± asked Jinx


    ¡°Earth, I think. Did you like my home, just recently started living their. My dad was dealing with stuff so I came home to help out¡± Replied Atlas.


    ¡°It''s a really pretty home. Where did you live before?¡± Asked Jinx.


    ¡°Somewhere on Mars. I was a soldier.¡± Said Atlas.


    "Where do you want to go first" said Atlas taking in the environment, or the little that he could.


    "How about you use one of those strong man hammer things" said Jinx with a lip biting smile.


    "Anything you want" Replied Atlas with a grin.


    He heard a man yelling "step right up step right up and take a gander at the hammer".


    Atlas walked over and found the man who had been yelling until he had arrived.


    "How much" said Atlas with his thundering voice.


    The man simply looked at Atlas and the red headed woman beside him for a moment.


    "Three swings for two dollars" said the man still awestruck by the size of Atlas.


    Atlas handed the man two dollars and stepped over the fence. He looked at the tiny hammers and decided he did not need one.


    "Hey mind if I just use my hands I don''t want to break your hammer" said Atlas crossing his tree trunks for arms.


    "Go ahead" said the man.


    Atlas smashed his fist instantly maxing out the meter that would have decided whether or not he got a prize. Atlas maxed out the meter two more times as a crowded gathered. Atlas was happy, this was one of the first time he had been in a public event science he got home.


    Atlas walked over to Jinx and asked "what prize do you want".


    "Get the big panda bear" said Jinx with glee.


    "How about we go to every one of these placed that involve strength" said Jinx pulling Atlas closer to herself.


    They continued to walk until they came across a new carnival game. This was one of the old fashioned throwing baseball games.


    "How much" Asked Atlas as he received the same awestruck response.


    Atlas picked up a ball and shot the ball through the wall behind the bottles.


    ¡°I am so sorry, I didn''t mean to damage your wall.¡±


    ¡°It''s, umm fine.¡± Stammered the man.


    He repeated this process two more times.


    "So what prize do you want this time" said Atlas admiring the stuffed panda.


    "Can I have you?" said Jinx looking deep into the heart of Atlas.


    Atlas looked at what was on the shelves and found an interesting prize. He picked up the super size Teddy bear that looked about normal next to him. He held a bear in one hand and her hand in the other.


    "I think this was a bad idea" said Jinx with a hint of sadness.


    "Why?" Atlas Replied with worry in his own voice.


    "You can''t fit on any rides" said Jinx with increasing sadness. Atlas began to laugh and reached down to Jinx.


    "I know this will sound a little mean but you look really cute when you are sad. And I know I can''t fit on any of the rides I knew that before we came here" said Atlas wiping the frown from her face.


    "When why did you come if you knew you would have no fun here" said Jinx smothering her face into the panda.


    "I knew I would have fun because you''re with me. How about we go to the beach when you have had your fun" said Atlas walking to a ride.


    He stood in front of a carnival ride for children.


    A little girl walked up to him and asked "are you a giant".


    Atlas smiled and got down on one knee and said "Yes I am".


    The little girl smiled and squeezed her cheeks. She turned to her mother and said "mommy can I take a picture with the giant".


    "Jenny leave the man alone" said the woman.


    "It''s fine" said Atlas looking down.


    "Thank you very much" said the woman a rosy red face.


    Atlas stood beside the child and the woman moved feather back to take a picture.


    The little girl turned to Atlas saying "Can you hold me".


    "Of course sweetheart" Replied Atlas looking over to Jinx. The girl almost looked like a doll in Atlas''s hands.


    "I wish you could be my daddy my other daddy hits us" said the little girl.


    Atlas had lost his smile and now had a dead expression. His once fiery eyes now had no separation between pupil and iris.


    When the woman walked up to Atlas he said "Jenny told me your husband hits you, is this true".


    The woman looked surprised as if she never thought anyone would ever know.


    "If you do not tell me who he is I will have the authorities take your child from you. I am sorry but I can not let this child be harmed if I can stop it" said Atlas.


    Jinx placed her hand on Atlas and he set the child he cradled down. A man that looked as if he had not showered in weeks walked up to the woman and placed his arm around her.


    "Who the hell are you" said the man who looked moments away from a drug overdose. Atlas could tell he had no idea what he was doing.


    "Are you her husband" said Atlas with a calm tone.


    "Listen jackass I don''t care who you think you are but..."


    At that moment Atlas covered the little girls ears.


    His voice cracked like thunder and lightning shot through his eyes. "If you ever lay a finger on this child I will turn your bones to dust".


    "How about we talk about this elsewhere buddy" said the man.


    Atlas followed the man behind one of the tents and stood waiting for the man to talk. He then pulled out a gun and pointed it at Atlas. Before the man could shoot Atlas snapped his fingers sending a shock waves through the air knocking the man down. Atlas walked up to the man and clapped sending a second shock wave through the man busting his lungs. He knew they would never be able to prove that he could shatter someone''s insides without any external damage. The powers he had on record didn''t match up with what he did.


    Atlas left the man and in the dark to fall prey to whatever hid in the dark. Atlas walk back to Jinx and told the woman her husband had left. He gave her ten thousand dollars so she could move with her life. He also gave his phone number to call if she ever needed help. Atlas knew it would be nightfall before anyone found his body and decided to have fun.


    "Jinx how about we do something fun" said Atlas to Jinx who now only held a panda bear.


    Jinx had a wicked smile and tried to kiss Atlas. Atlas turned and she kissed his cheek.


    "Can I spend the night with you" said Jinx looking into his amber eyes.


    Atlas did not know what to do, he wanted to say yes but he barely knew her but having a sleepover wouldn¡¯t hurt.


    "I was hoping you''d say that" said Atlas.


    But he knew that was not what he meant to say something had overwhelmed his mind.


    "Let''s go home" said Jinx pressing up against him.


    Atlas rode home with Jinx and they walked into the house together. Darwin lay with his paws resting his head. He slowly got up and sniffed Jinx and layed back down. Atlas got extra blankets and made himself a bed in the floor next to his own. Atlas wondered if Jinx was hungry and would have asked but she was nowhere to be found.


    "What do you think" said a seductive voice sliding from the bathroom.


    Atlas would not lie and told her exactly what he thought about the skin tight T-shirt. She smiled and placed her arms around him.


    But that was seven months ago and since then things had changed.


    Atlas punched the steel pillar he called a punching bag until it was bent out of shape.


    ¡°Hey wanna come shopping with me?¡± Asked Jinx.


    ¡°Absolutely I''ll dry off and meet you in the driveway.¡±


    ¡°Alright I''ll be waiting for you.¡± She winked and blew him a kiss.


    "I can do it I just need to walk up to her and tell her just need to be able to say it" said Atlas attempting to build courage. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Atlas took a few deep breaths and walked up to Jinx.


    "Can we get some chocolate cake" said Atlas in an almost childish manner.


    "Of course dear" said Jinx giving Atlas a kiss on the cheek.


    "So when do you think we should tell them" said Atlas picking Jinx up by her waist.


    "It''s up to you baby whenever you feel ready and since I''m a orphan we don''t have to worry about my family" Replied Jinx.


    "That sounds like a plan" said Atlas attempting to get a better view of the woods bear by.


    "Why do you like your morning and late night walks so much" Asked Jinx as they walked to the store.


    "I have no idea I just like them but I know you love sleeping so I don''t wake you up" Replied Atlas.


    When they reached the store Atlas sat outside as Jinx went in to get cake and other food. A young woman walked up to Atlas asking if he could held her. Atlas agreed still unaware of what she wanted him to do.


    She guided Atlas over to a car and told him about how she did not know how to replace a car tire. Atlas grabbed the spare wheel from the trunk and lifted the car with one hand. He used his left hand to replace the wheel.


    "Thank you so much how could I ever repay you" said the lady.


    Atlas simply replied "I like coffee".


    The lady smiled and gave Atlas her phone number saying "We should hang out sometime". Atlas agreed and walked away to find Jinx.


    "Are you ready for tomorrow" said Jinx hugging Atlas.


    ¡°They are just giving me the certificate. It''s not a big deal I only have one more day of class anyway" said Atlas.


    Jinx and Atlas left to their home near the woods. Atlas still needed to dig a basement big enough for their garden and his equipment.


    "Hey beautiful I''ll be working on the house just so you know" said Atlas walking into the stone tunnel.


    Atlas picked up his half ton pick ax and got to work. He smashed away at the stone and set up steel pillars to hold the stone. He continued until he had cleared a mile of land. Every once in awhile he would take a few tons of rock out and stack it creating a mountain of stone. Dust hung in the air making it almost impossible to see more than thirty feet away. And that was his signal to stop and rest.


    Atlas made certain anyone could fit within the basement and he made certain of this by making the ceiling just within his reach if he stood hands stretched. The scent of wood and dirt still filled the air but were almost overwhelmed by the smell of crushed stone.


    "I''m going out for a walk" said Atlas as he glanced at his beautiful fiance who was reading a book of baby names.


    Atlas started off but not before grabbing his GPS. He could get lost in a grocery store and that is why he needed it. He chose a random path and began to walk. The darkening landscape gave way to the sounds of coyotes and wolves.


    Atlas soon picked up on a screeching and the rustling of leaves. He walked towards the sound but found nothing but a mass of dead deer and wolves. Pieces lay strewn along the ground like a carpet of blood and flesh. A bit of a leg here a part of a head their. The body of a dog lay torn open and it still moved slightly. It seemed as if there should have been more bodies for the amount of blood.


    Atlas looked around and found a total of thirteen deer and seven wolves. He noticed they all had their eyes removed and teeth missing. Who ever had done this or whatever had done this did not do it for food, it had killed for fun. He could easily follow the river of blood that ran through the trees and ivy. He walked through the deepening darkness and found a cliff face with a large crack in it.


    The rocks were soaked with blood and Atlas wondered if this was the home of the being. The crack seemed darker than the other shadows something about it was wrong. Atlas walked to the crack and soon found that it was a cave. He walked farther into the cave and it soon became pitch black. The stench of death filled the air and Atlas turned on a light he had on his wristwatch. He found hundreds of bodies, if you could even call them that.


    The bits could barely be called bodies it was more like pieces of flesh that covered the floor. He looked around until he felt bored and left the tunnel. The forest was now only lit by the light of the moon.


    Atlas began to walk back home still wondering what could have done all this. Maybe it was a group of cultist or some psychopath that likes to kill animals. Atlas continued to walk but soon stopped when he saw a woman with blood covering her. She seemed to be limping away from something and a large human like being popped out from behind a tree.


    The being had a human like face and pale almost transparent skin. It had slits for a nose and black beady eyes. But what gave Atlas rage was that the clawed being was attacking something without any reason. They would not become better by fighting her nor would they eat her for food. He felt only anger towards their useless action.


    Atlas was enraged "How dare they attack in a group and just play with their prey this is not right".


    One of the beings turned to Atlas and when its eyes locked with him. Atlas tossed a stone at it. The stone broke the sound barrier and the skull of the being. The stone shot through the head of the being splattering its brain nearby. Black blood now covered the ground behind it.


    Atlas walked towards the being that looked like blobs in his eyes. He picked up a hand full of rocks and tossed them shooting them through the beings.


    "Run, you can''t win!" Yelled the woman who lay covered in blood.


    Atlas stood beside her and pulled a large knife from his side. Atlas waited for the beings to attack him but they did not move. One of the beings jumped after a long pause at Atlas but before it could impale him he uppercutted it causing a sonic boom.


    The sound of its breaking bones and tearing flesh filled the air. It''s black blood covered the fist of Atlas and its body hit the ground with a thud. The beings began to dash around Atlas and showed their endless rows of shark like teeth.


    "You don''t understand they are just distracting you they don''t want you to see the Alfa coming" said the woman starting to stand.


    Atlas wondered what kind of bears they were and thought about asking. Atlas began stomping on the body of the being he had hit. The body of the being looked similar to that of roadkill.


    "What are you waiting for?" Yelled Atlas


    "Attack me!", Atlas felt as if he should not get too far from the woman. Atlas could sense their eyes as they swirled around him.


    "I''m fine you don''t have to die for me" said the woman struggling to stay up.


    Atlas did not respond but only looked into her with sorrow filled eyes.


    "I can''t leave you" said Atlas lifting a massive stone.


    Atlas held a stone and fired it like a shotgun. The beings easily evaded this and took this moment to attack, but not from the ground. One of the beings dropped down to attack Atlas. The splitting of bone and flesh once again filled the air. The body of one of the creatures lay in pieces.


    Atlas was able to feel the lightning bolt that had passed over his head. He could smell the scorched flesh of the being and could only wonder how she had done this.


    Atlas turned and said "Thanks".


    He was becoming annoyed but that feeling was soon replaced by love and panic. His phone began to ring and he quickly answered.


    "Hello beautiful how are you" He said in a calm loving voice.


    "Baby when are you coming home it''s late. Did you get lost or are you just taking your time" said Jinx in a nagging tone.


    "Sorry baby just the opposite I found someone out here and she has a scratch or two so I am bringing her home" said Atlas still facing the beings.


    The woman looked at Atlas wondering how any human even one as strong as him could stay calm in this situation.


    "Ok be home soon love you" said Jinx and Atlas hung up.


    "Well I don''t have time to be careful anymore" said Atlas.


    At that moment he took a breath creating a massive current of air that spiraled inward. His body seemed to become bigger if that was even possible and all of his muscle now were tightly pressed against his once loose fitting clothing.


    Atlas merely clapped sending a shock wave that split the beings in half. Atlas picked up the woman and walked away from their lifeless bodies. He felt the earth shake and the world grew dead silent. It felt as if everything had been frozen in fear. Atlas turned to face the being but could only hear the sound of trees snapping in the distance.


    "Is that the Alfa?" Asked Atlas locking eyes with the darkness.


    Atlas leaned forward and placed her down somewhere safe. Atlas turned back and walked towards the being that walked towards him. The stench of rotting flesh filled the air as the monster drew closer.


    Atlas could now see the monstrosity in crystal clean view. It looked like a larger version of the things he had been killing earlier. But this being had what looked like a mace in one hand and a clawed hand in the other.


    " Hey lady what kind of bear is that" said Atlas glaring at the being.


    "That is the Alfa" said the woman standing far in the distance.


    The thing howled letting its stench fill the air. It''s howl could be described as a high screech and a low guttural growl. The being jumped at Atlas swinging its mace at him. Atlas caught the mace and grabbed its wrist. He was able to snap its wrist but it now had its long fangs flying at him. But this was a distraction the real attack was the foot of the creature that rammed through his leg.


    Atlas tensed his body so the claw could not be removed for the time being. Atlas used the clawed hand of the being to stab its face until it was a bloody clump of flesh. Atlas pulled the claw out of his leg and walked towards the woman. He picked her up and started walking home.


    "I''m fine you know I don''t need your help" said the woman in a sleepy voice.


    Atlas knew she was probably going to pass out but wanted to at least get home before she did. Atlas began running towards his home with the woman in hand. He arrived and saw Jinx near the window or just something near the window.


    "Hey beautiful" said Atlas opening the door.


    "What the hell happened" said Jinx looking at the bloody woman.


    "Nothing it''s just a scratch" said the girl as Atlas laid her on a couch.


    "That is not a scratch we need to call 911" said Jinx pulling out her cell phone.


    Atlas could see in her expression that she did not want Jinx to call.


    "No don''t that''s mostly my blood" said Atlas pointing at the girl then himself.


    Jinx held the phone for a moment then sat down "Ok tell me what happened".


    "Well I was walking and I saw her getting attacked by ugly chimps with claws or maybe bears I couldn''t really tell" said Atlas looking down.


    "Did you kill those poor things" said Jinx with worry in her voice.


    "Well they were attacking her" said Atlas shrugging.


    "So what''s your name" said Jinx with a stunning smile.


    "My name is Hope" said the woman.


    "Well nice to meet you Hope my name is Jinx" said Jinx flashing her beautiful green blue eyes.


    Her long red hair hugged her sides and so did her red dress.


    "Let''s get some nicer clothing for you" said Jinx standing up. Atlas looked at his watch and saw it was time for him to sleep.


    "Well I''m going to bed and knowing you this will take all night" said Atlas walking away.


    "Where do you think you are going" Jinx placed her hands on her hips.


    Atlas turned around and said "I was going to sleep" in a tone a child would use when he was in trouble.


    "Are you forgetting something" said Jinx with her arms crossed.


    Atlas walked over and kneeled wondering what he was forgetting. Jinx walked up and kissed Atlas. Atlas turned bright red as he always did and smiled.


    "I forgot the most important thing of all" said Atlas looking into her eyes.


    "Sweet dreams cutie" said Jinx giving Atlas a hug.


    Atlas lay in bed dreaming of the only thing that mattered to him. A pair of people Jinx and a small red haired girl with incredible strength. Even in his sleep he smiled just imagining what could be. He quickly awoke and looked around for what was making the sound he heard. He got out of his bed and turned on the lights. He looked around and found a spider walking on the floor. He got a piece of paper and lifted the spider, he walked outside and dropped the spider. He was about to step inside when he heard something move outside. He could see what looked like a man with eyes that belonged to a wild animal.


    Atlas pulled a throwing knife out of his pocket and split the thing in two. He picked up the body and tossed it into an incinerator. He walked back inside after unlocking the door. He walked into his gym and started to lift the few weights he had. When he was done the sun had popped out from its home. It illuminated the trees and lifted the light fog between the trees.


    Atlas could feel the land warm and went to check on Jinx. He saw her laying in bed and Hope in the bed next to hers. He decided to let them sleep and make the breakfast in bed. He got his apron and "Kiss the Cook" hat. He gathered all the ingredients he needed and started to make cake. He also had the ingredients for chocolate pudding and vanilla ice cream.


    "Hey" said Hope standing at the door with a shirt that most likely belonged to him.


    It would have been a dress to her but she had rolled up the bottom of the shirt until it reached half way down her thigh. She walked up to Atlas mostly half asleep and blinked her blue gray eyes. Her snow white hair swayed by her shoulders as she tiptoed to get closer to his face.


    "What does your hat say on it" Asked Hope.


    "Kiss the cook" Replied Atlas standing up.


    She look out the door and asked "What were you doing last night".


    "Sleeping" said Atlas trying to avoid the pointless subject.


    "Thanks for saving my life" said Hope hugging his arm.


    Atlas could feel her soft skin touch his almost steel hard skin. Hope could hear the beating of his heart like a drum but it was not just one heartbeat. Hope could hear his irregular heart beat as she held him. Hope walked over to a chair and sat down.


    "Where are you from" Asked Atlas pondering where such a strange girl could come from.


    "I''m from Mars" said Hope as she wondered what kind of human Atlas could be.


    She thought about the possibility of him being one of the genetic experiments.


    "Where were you born" Asked Hope in order to continue the conversation.


    "I forgot but I''m from Earth, other than that I don''t know" Replied Atlas mixing the flour and eggs.


    Hope wondered how he was capable of killing an Alpha with his bare hands. What were his limits and what could his weakness be.


    "Do you have any weaknesses?" Asked Hope looking up and down his body.


    Atlas looked puzzled for a moment but replied "Well  it depends on what you mean".


    Hope walked up to Atlas and said "Physical weakness".


    Atlas hummed for a moment and replied "Yeah I''m ticklish".


    Hope then began to poke at Atlas as he shifted and made noises trying to hold his laughter back. She continued to tickle him and he lost control spilling the mix on her. She stopped tickling Atlas and looked at him with anger.


    "Take your shirt off" said Hope with a cold tone.


    Atlas was about to ask why she didn''t just pick up a rag or take his apron but he did not want to make her mad. Atlas removed his shirt and she snached it from him. She ran off into the bathroom and came back out with a new shirt. She had used the old one to clean herself off.


    When she came back she walked up to Atlas and gave him a wicked smile. She began to tickle him but Atlas tried to escape. But it was no use she was able to pin him down. She tickled him until he could barely keep laughing. He was unable to control his hand other than placing them by his sides. She was happy to know he had a weakness and that she could have fun by exploiting it. She pinned his hands over his head and was inches from his lips. They were breathing heavily and sat their for a moment.


    "What is going on?" said Jinx looming over Atlas with a happy yet angered expression.


    "She started it" Replied Atlas looking into her eyes.


    "No I didn''t, you spilled cake mix on me" said Hope crossing her arms.


    "Do you mind getting off Atlas so I can talk with him?"Asked Jinx tapping the kitchen table.


    Hope hopped of Atlas and sat silently nearby. They walked together into the living room and Jinx pushed Atlas against a wall.


    "What were you two doing" said Jinx with a hint of rage.


    "She attacked me, I was defenseless. You know how hard it is for me to move when I am being tickled" said Atlas looking down at her bright red hair.


    "You think I don''t know that" said Jinx beginning to tickle Atlas.


    Atlas fell and she giggled at how someone so powerful could be brought down by her little hands. She knew all his weak points and was going for all of them. Then she believed he had enough, she kissed him on the lips with such passion it would have seemed like it would be their last.


    She looked into his eyes and he into hers. He knew he had not said it yet but he knew he felt it. What else could it be such a feeling like he had never felt before and only felt when he was with her.


    "I''m going to visit my sister. While I''m gone keep my heart safe for me will you?" said Jinx with a smile.


    "Well I would have to be paid in some way. I''ll keep it safe for a kiss from the most beautiful girl" said Atlas picking her up.


    Atlas pulled her close and she kissed him. They smiled and Atlas walked out to find Hope sitting just where he had last seen her.


    "So is there somewhere you would like me to take you" said Atlas looking at Hope.


    "Your bed" said Hope with a seductive look in her eye.


    "What" Replied Atlas looking puzzled by what she had said.


    "I am wondering how big a bed would have to be for a person your size" Replied Hope.


    Atlas realized she always had a seductive look in her eyes. He walked with her to his room and opened the door to a room filled with nothing but a bed.


    "What do you want to do" Asked Hope looking at the bed.


    "We should go to the gym" said Atlas with glee.


    He walked out the door and up to his motorcycle. Hope looked at the vehicle and climbed her way up. Atlas gave her a helmet and was about to drive off when he noticed she was not holding on.


    "Are you going to hold me" said Atlas glancing back at her.


    She grabbed onto Atlas and they speed off. Atlas rode to where his little sisters still lived. They stopped at the large mansion and Atlas walked up to the building. Atlas opened the door and a massive dog instantly started to lick him. The massive black husky wagged its tail so fast it looked like it was going to fall off.


    Atlas patted the dog and chuckled saying "I missed you too".


    When Darwin looked at Hope his hair stood on end. But he began to lick her hands and Atlas soon realized it was because of static electricity. Darwin rub his face against her hands and seemed to smile.


    "He must really like you" said Atlas with a warm smile.


    Atlas snapped with his pinky and thumb and walked inside. Darwin instantly followed and moments later Hope did to. Atlas walked until he reached a room with a label that said gym on the door. Atlas opened the door and grinned at his toys. Atlas then thought about what Hope would do. Atlas then realized he still had Valery''s weights. Atlas ran to a pile of weights and ran back giving the several hundred pound weights to Hope.


    "You can use this" said Atlas.


    "You think I''m not strong enough to use yours?" Asked Hope with anger.


    "Well I just thought you would want to warm up first" said Atlas peering into her eyes.


    "Well I don''t need to" said Hope walking over to his weights.


    She gripped a bar she found nearby and lifted it in the air. Atlas smiled and grabbed the bar holding it out straight. Atlas wanted to tell her that it was one of Jinx''s weights but didn''t want to her to lose confidence.


    "I guess you don''t need to warm up then, but do you mind spotting me" said Atlas.


    "Doing what?" Asked Hope tilting her head.


    "Well if the bar is too heavy for me you just have to help me lift it that''s all" said Atlas laying on the bench.


    Atlas waited for Hope to get into position but she sat on him instead.


    "What are you doing" Asked Atlas glancing at Hope who still had only a shirt and shorts.


    "I am spotting you from here because it is more comfortable for me" said Hope.


    Atlas shrugged and began his rep. He lifted the seven thousand pound weight and began to take deeper breaths.


    "Keep going and just a little deeper" said Trinity.


    "Who''s there?" Yelled Hope slamming her hands on Atlas''s chest.


    Trinity ignored Hope and asked Atlas "Who is this girl on top of you" in a voice stained with jealousy.


    "This is Hope" said Atlas between hard breaths.


    "I don''t think Jinx will be happy to know that you had a half naked girl on top of you when you had nothing but a shirt on" said Trinity with the intent of blackmail.


    "Would you rather have me risk dying or have her do this" Replied Atlas as he continued to lift the bar.


    "Why can''t I just switch places with Hope and kiss you right now"


    Is what Trinity wishes she could have said, but instead she said "Fine I''ll just stay quiet".


    Eventually Atlas was forced to stop because of two factors. One he was hungry and Hope had fallen asleep on him. He picked Hope up and walked with her in hand. He placed her down and began to cook. Atlas placed down his forty pound hamburger and the other meals he had made for Hope. Hope woke up and ate with Atlas.


    "What do you want to do now" said Atlas.


    "I want to go back and finish killing those things in the woods" said Hope without emotion.


    "As you wish" said Atlas walking to the door.


    "Atlas be safe out there" said Trinity as he left.


    "So what is Trinity exactly" said Hope on the back of the motorcycle.


    "She''s an A.I., the kind that''s based off a human brain so it can feel real emotion and still learn at inhuman speeds" said Atlas.


    "Aren''t those illegal" said Hope.


    "Well yes, but no one is stupid enough to try and accuse my father of anything" Replied Atlas passing the cars on the road.


    Hope wanted to ask why but felt she wouldn''t like what she would hear. They arrived back at his home and walked to the woods. The woods seemed more alive during the day with wind brushing the trees.


    Atlas could never fully understand the beauty of the woods because his view was limited to a few yards around him. Atlas walked to the location where he had first seen Hope. Atlas walked all the way to the crack and cave. Atlas wondered why he could no longer smell the scent of rancid flesh.


    There was no blood, no bones, nothing but a teddy bear sitting on a rusted steel bed. The bed was sitting over a hole with black dirt. What looked like the burned remains of a building lay behind it. The bed had rusted wires going across it but where the bear sat it looked new. Atlas was frozen in fear this was something he had never felt before. Fear, what words could even try to display its unparalleled power. Similar to being paralyzed and knowing the thing that would kill you would soon be upon you.


    He could feel the dark pit calling his name something wanted him to sleep. Just to rest for a moment with it. He felt as if the only thing keeping whatever was beneath the bed was the bear. It''s black eyes and brown fur seemed to contain more power than Atlas could ever hope to achieve.


    Why... afraid...


    It was no more than an old bed, just a place to sleep. And the bear, what could make it so powerful why, did it give him the feeling that it was more that it told?


    "Atlas?" said Hope touching Atlas''s shaking body.


    Atlas held Hope as if she was the last light in an endless sea of darkness.

 Uriel 3

    "You fucking psychopath" Yelled the man strapped down to the surgical table.


    "I''m sorry but you have a very nasty virus and I need to examine it and the only way I can do that is by opening a gap in your chest. And if you are wondering why I am not using any anesthesia, it''s not because I''m a sick psychopathic bastard but it''s because I fear it may affect the specimen" said Uriel with a surgical blade in hand.


    Uriel slit the man open just beneath his ribs then made a second cut from his ribs to his belly button. The man struggled beneath his restraints and would have been screaming if Uriel had not clamped his mouth shut. Uriel peeled the skin back and he could see the agony in the man''s eyes. Uriel could see his diaphragm moving along with the third stage of the flesh eating virus.


    He could see its thin pale body in the fetal position where his left lung should be. Uriel grabbed his steal gloves and cut the being out of his lung. Uriel then placed the being into a jar with the help of his assistant Mary. She then filled the jar with a yellow liquid that would preserve its body.


    "So what do you think about this one" said Mary tapping the glass.


    "It should still grow but I need to cut this one up. I need to understand how these things function" said Uriel as he picked up the jar.


    He walked with Mary to another room with other jars and other specimens. He picked up one of the larger jars and moved to another room in the facility. The white halls were spotless and had automated machine guns on the ceiling.  They stepped into another room with another table ready for their next operation. Two guards would stand in each room at all times and the doors would slide shut after.


    The doors could only be opened and closed by the control room. Only seven people knew the pass codes for the control room. They had taken every precaution in order to make certain nothing would ever escape. They even had the facility built on another planet miles underground. The entire facility even had multiple atomic weapons inside in order to erase all living things within as a precaution.


    Uriel strapped the dog sized being down to the table and spilled some blood on its face. The being had sunken in eyes and slits for a nose. It''s endless rows of teeth had a human esk look. The way its body was formed was also similar to humans. The being woke up and began to look around the room. It screeched and struggled in its restraints. Uriel pulled out a knife and slit its throat spilling its black blood. It struggled for a moment the stopped.


    "Cut the crap I know that didn''t kill you" said Uriel as the being locked eyes with him.


    The black blood began to drift back into the beings cut. Uriel then slammed the being''s face and gouged one of its eyes out. He continued by jamming a knife in its chest and slashed its arms. Then got pliers and started ripping some of its teeth out. Mary placed her hand on Uriel''s shoulder and he stopped. The being looked at Uriel as he stepped up to its thin body and began to cut. He removed its skin and cut pieces of its flesh off. He pulled a drill out and made holes in its bones. He then placed a black explosive in its bones.


    "Well I''m done for today" said Uriel placing the knives down.


    He slowly left the facility into the massive Mars slums. He was dressed in tattered clothing and so was Mary. They were careful knowing many mercenaries would give anything to kidnap one of the most influential people alive. The U.N didn''t exactly like him either, after all he was charged with crimes against humanity. But those charges were dropped after the witnesses went missing and all evidence was destroyed.


    They walked to the home Uriel had built. There was a massive pack of dogs guarding the building. Several children sat alongside the dogs. The dogs were almost like unpaid babysitters because they guarded the children until their parents returned, and the child also agreed to leave. Sometimes the dogs would go home with the children to protect them. Mars was no longer the red planet but a super lush forest with a thriving ecosystem.


    "Hey kids treating the dogs nicely" said Uriel with a kind hearted grin.


    "Yes we are Mr. And" said the small girl with ashy hair.


    The little girl named Ka sat atop the biggest of the dogs, Titan. He was Darwin''s younger brother. Uriel walked inside to find a pile of dead animals on the kitchen floor.


    "Well it looks like we don''t have to buy food again" said Uriel picking up a dead animals.


    ¡°Titan brought home a boy last time. Good thing he didn''t try to eat him¡± Continued Uriel.


    Uriel cooked the rabbits, birds and other animals who all had their necks crushed. Uriel setup the plates for the dogs to eat from. They came over to eat their cooked meal one by one, taking turns.


    "What do you want to eat" said Uriel glancing at Mary.


    Mary brushed her light pink hair out of her face. Mary had a face that made it hard to determine her age to begin with and her eyes were something else.


    "What do you want to make for me" said Mary standing across the room.


    Her long hair reached down just beneath her waist. It would be hard to believe such a young and cute girl was one of the best assassins alive. Considering how clumsy she was it would seem she could barely survive on her own.


    "Well nothing very hot because you might burn yourself and nothing hard to swallow because you might choke" said Uriel looking at his ingredients.


    "I can take the heat" Yelled Mary quickly grabbing and eating a random ingredient. She had eaten a ghost pepper.


    Her face turned red and her eyes began to water. She stood there trying to make it seem as if she had done it on purpose. Uriel grabbed a gallon of water and handed it to her. She instantly began to drink the water and spilled most of it all over herself. Her pink shirt did her no favors at that moment. Uriel left the room knowing she would be upset if he saw her the way she was. He walked out of the building and wondered if he should enter the forest. He walked one step out the door and felt Mary''s hand on him.


    "You can''t go anywhere alone remember" said Mary glaring her eyes at Uriel.


    "Please just for a while I promise I won''t do anything stupid" said Uriel with a pleading grin.


    Mary gave the expression of are you fucking kidding me.


    "Ok fine can you at least drive me into town" said Uriel.


    "Fine but try to not fall off this time and just so you know you are supposed to hold me when I am driving" said Mary pulling the keys from her pocket.


    Mary walked Uriel to the motorcycle and she placed her helmet on.


    "Where did you leave your helmet" said Mary looking at Uriel.


    "Well you see..."


    Uriel was interrupted by Mary who said "Don''t give me that, I know you got rid of it".


    She took off her helmet and handed it to Uriel. After he place the helmet on they began the drive. Uriel gently held Mary attempted and not to fall from the motorcycle. They rode towards the larger town about thirty miles away. Mary had to stop every so often because Uriel would get dizzy. Before they could reach the town they were stopped by three men with guns.


    "We are the Baysin city police and we need to look at your bags to make certain you  aren''t carrying any illegal substances" said the man in a thick leather jacket.


    Mary knew that this was just some lowlifes who wanted some easy cash. She shot two of the men in their legs and the third who was closest in the arm. She had shot straight through the bone of every target and only the man she shot in the arm remained conscious. She walked up to the man and placed the red hot barrel of the gun in his mouth. She could see him struggled to escape but the more he moved the more it burned him.


    "Do you still need to see what we have officer" said Mary with a bright smile.


    The man only looked at her in fear as tears ran down his face.


    "Well if not I guess we will be leaving now" said Mary standing up and getting back on the motorcycle.


    "Why did you do that?" said Uriel glancing back at the men.


    "Because they wanted to rob you and I can''t let that happen. What kind of a body guard would I be if I did" said Mary with a smile.


    They arrived at the town and got to a pharmacy. Uriel looked around and picked an entire aisle of medication. He got everything. With the help of Mary he placed it in a cart.


    "Sorry for asking for so much help I''m just not what I used to be" said Uriel with a grin.


    "Don''t worry about it we can just share a bed tonight and we can call it even" said Mary.


    "For the last time you are too young for me. I can''t do that, it would just be wrong"  said Uriel looking into her eyes.


    Mary walked along in silence glancing at Uriel every so often. Uriel walked up to the counter and gave the man seven thousand dollars or  three thousand five hundred Marks.


    "That''s a lot of medication" said the man selling them the medicine.


    "Yes, yes it is" Replied Uriel walking away with the bags full of medication.


    Mary notice that Uriel was smiling but did not see anything that could make him happy. He only smiled when interacting with people he liked. They made their way back home and saw most of the children still playing with the dogs.


    "Hi there Ka, are you still feeling sick?" said Uriel.


    "Yeah, my tummy still hurts" said Ka with a half smile.


    "Have this it''ll make you feel better. It''s painkillers." said Uriel handing her a container of medication.


    "Thanks, but how did you get this? I heard it''s really hard to get it from Earth" said Ka.


    "It''s not, and remember if you ever feel sick write it on the help board on my door. And remind everyone else for me will you, I don''t want anyone feeling sick" said Uriel patting her head.


    She looked up at Uriel with her light green eyes and gave him a hug. "I wish you could be my dad" said Ka with a enormous smile.


    Mary hugged Uriel from behind and said "We could be your parents". Uriel could feel heat run up his spine and stop at his face.


    "Really!?" Yelled Ka jumping up and down.


    Uriel had been pinned into a mental corner and could not get out. He knew if he said no he would break Ka''s heart along with all the other kids that sat beaming with joy behind Ka. Mary must have been joking but Uriel now had to tell the children something.


    "And you will be having a baby sister soon" said Uriel placing his thick arms around Mary.


    Mary now had to think of a plan to tell the kids that they were not going to get a sister or find a way to get a baby. Uriel had forced her into a situation just as difficult as his. Mary and Uriel now had to take care of the children or think of a way to make them forget.


    "We''ll be inside" said Uriel with a smile.


    "Bye daddy, bye mommy" said the children with smiles.


    When Uriel and Mary got alone he said "Why did you say that, I can''t take care of all of them".


    "But we can" said Mary stepping closer to Uriel.


    "You did this on purpose" said Uriel.


    "Yeah I did so now we have to share a bed" said Mary.


    "That has nothing to do with this" said Uriel placing his hands over his face.


    There was a knock at that door and Uriel left to open it.


    "Hello" said Uriel just before the thin man lunged at Uriel with a clawed hand.


    His body flew back as the bullets from Mary''s shotgun sprinkled his body. Mary had no need to shoot again because half of the massive dogs had begun to tear the man apart. They ripped him into six pieces, but he had not stopped moving at that point. This was no normal human, but whatever it was wanted Uriel dead.


    "Boys drop that into the pit" said Uriel in a oddly calm tone.


    The children tried running over but the six other dogs would not let them pass.


    "Titan find where this man came from and report back when you''re done" said Uriel looking at the pit.


    "Should we call the police?" Asked Mary, as she was attempting to clean up the blood on the floor.


    "Why are you asking me if you''re already hiding the evidence" said Uriel shrugging his shoulders.


    Uriel looked at the children who stood behind the rest of his dogs.


    He walked over and in an attempt to distract them said "Here is two hundred Marks go get something from the store with everyone".


    Uriel handed Ka the money and they all ran off with the dogs. Uriel cleaned up all the blood and turned on the incinerator in the pit. Uriel felt sleepy most likely due to his old age and decided to go to sleep. As usual he placed several blankets outside along with sleeping mats for the children who liked to be with the dogs more that being home. Mary placed the milk and cereal outside for them to eat if they got hungry.


    The out door refrigerator was filled with other snacks for them to eat along with some food to take home. Uriel made his bed and layed down to sleep he drifted into sleep after minutes. He could hear it again that low gurgled breathing and feel its thin human like body pressing against his feet. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    It had most of its spine popping out against its thin light gray skin. He could hear it say his name whenever he closed his eyes. He knew he should be able to move but fear held him down. It was a fear so strong that he had to tell himself to keep breathing. That let him know that the being was intelligent was that it always woke him at two fifteen.


    It would always crawl under his bed and disappear the next morning. It would sit in a fetal position with its long claws reaching all the way across its scared back. It''s blood stained claws matched its gaping mouth. It would move in a natural way never in fluid motion only in a quick jerking motion. But the night Uriel heard it called the name of his children he knew he had no choice.


    The instant it moved he shot up and smashed it out the third story window. He fell with the being and used it to soften the impact. He immediately began to tear chunks of its flesh out with his teeth as blood covered his face. He could feel the warm blood cover him as he continued to eat as the being howled.


    It continued trying to claw him apart but it lost most of its bodily function after Uriel clamped down on its spine. He could not stop this feeling knowing he had killed and eaten the thing he so feared. He continued to eat its flesh well into the night. He ripped piece after piece of the being''s flesh off and soon had only blood and bone. He then began to drink the blood and break the bone in order to take its marrow.


    When nothing remained he took the body and hid it in his basement. He washes its blood way and tossed a lamp out the window to make it look as if it had fallen out and smashed the window. The taste of its flesh had never left his mind and he feared it never would. It was like a drug hundreds of times more addictive than cocaine. His memory drifted to the one thing he wanted more than its flesh, her lips.


    He could see her fiery red and green blue eyes once again. Her form was beyond what he could call devine.


    The only way he could word her was "Beautiful". He walked up to her and wished this was more than a dream. Tears ran down his face in both reality and his mind. He embrace her and for the first time he did not grasp at emptiness. He could feel her soft hair and flawless lips. He pulled her close and kissed her. She began to fade and he knew he would have to let go. Something felt off he could feel her still holding on as he woke. When he opened his eyes he could see pink hair and a pink shirt.


    "Pervert" said Mary before kissing him again.


    Uriel knew she was gone, but felt wrong and tried to get away. He fell off the bed a knocked himself out. Uriel shot up smashing his nose against her head. Uriel fell back down and clasped his nose. He began to roll around on the floor in pain.


    "What were you doing" Yelled Uriel with watery eyes .


    "I was placing ice on your head" said Mary with a grin.


    "No I''m asking why you kissed me." said Uriel holding the ice.


    "You kissed me first pervert. You even grabbed me a little" said Mary crossing her arms.


    "Why were you in my bed" said Uriel attempting to stand.


    "You said I could so I did and you were more active tonight" said Mary before Uriel interrupted.


    "Why the hell were you in my bed" said Uriel with a glare.


    "That''s not the point the point is we just kissed so is that your way of saying you want to be together?" said Mary with a adorable smile.


    "No for the last time you are way too young and I am far too old" Replied Uriel rubbing his head.


    "Age is just a number if we love each other nothing matters" said Mary patting Uriel on the shoulder.


    "You are probably around the same age as my son" Said Uriel.


    "It''s not nice to talk about a woman''s age" said Mary with a psychopathic glare.


    "Sorry but what time is it" said Uriel looking for a clock.


    "It''s seven thirty" said Mary.


    "We got to go" said Uriel walking out the door still holding the ice.


    They walked to the hidden entrance to the facility and passed the several guards that protected the area. They were lowered hundreds of feet straight down into the facility. He walked back to the room where he had tormented the being. He walked into the dark room and the being lay on the table free of wounds.


    "Well hello there" said Uriel as he pulled a knife out of his pocket.


    He slit one of the being eyes open and collected a blood sample. Mary would always look away when he did things like this.


    "They are immune to every poison known to man did you know that Mary. They don''t even get cancer no matter how much radiation I expose them to. The one thing I can do is expose them to sunlight. They really don''t like the light" said Uriel void of emotion.


    He left the room and walked to the experiment chamber. A massive bear sat in one corner of the room and in the other sat one of the beings. Uriel opened the doors to their cages and at that instant the being bolted to the bear.


    It began to tear the bear apart as it tried to fight back. It swung at the being missing every strike. The being was cutting the bear''s skin to pieces but never made any deep wounds. It had immobilized the bear and began to skin it. It then began to eat the bear after it had removed all the skin. It began to grow then vomited up a smaller version of itself.


    "They''re parasites, and are  incapable of replicating on their own" said Uriel with a passive face.


    "Didn''t you have to teach a class today" said Mary. Uriel looked at his watch and smacked his forehead.


    "It''s tomorrow but I still have to get to Earth. We should leave soon and we still need to adopt those kids". said Uriel almost absent minded.


    "We?" said Mary with a wink.


    "No I mean I should and just to make this clear to you we are not together" Replied Uriel.


    "Are you breaking up with me?" said Mary in a over dramatic way.


    She gestured as if she were about to faint and one of the guards caught her.


    She coughed and said "Hold me closer Jim do you see that man, he''s a horrible man h-h-he broke my heart". She place her hand on her head plan facing out and acted as if she were dying.


    "See what you have done Sir you''ve killed this young woman. You have broken her heart and she can no longer live. Why Sir, have mercy and give her a dying kiss" said Jim joining in the theatrics.


    "Please my love" said Mary reaching out.


    "You two really need a new hobby" Replied Uriel.


    "You''re so mean" Yelled Mary sitting up as the rest of the guards clapped tossed roses that Mary had undoubtedly given them.


    "Were you all in on this?" Yelled Uriel.


    "Just give the girl a damn kiss" Yelled one of the guards.


    Uriel was surprised by how much effort they had put into this. He walked over and was about to kiss her on the cheek. She turned instantly and kissed his lips. She could feel him attempt to stand for just a moment then stop because she had hit several pressure points on him. His body was stuck for just long enough for her to have fun. Two seconds later he jumped back and spit.


    "What the hell is wrong with you" Yelled Uriel rubbing his neck.


    "You were going to kiss me you perv" said Mary.


    "What the hell is your problem you asked for a kiss" Replied Uriel.


    "Never said from who" Replied Mary.


    Uriel walked away and got into the elevator. He took the motorcycle and forced Mary to walk home. He had had enough of her craziness and was not going to have it. He got home and finished with the adoption papers. He visited the families he was adopting the children from and talked to the parents. He finished all the paperwork for the children so they could go to Earth. He sat down the second he got home and took a nap. He awoke an hour later with Mary sleeping on his lap. He knew he could not be mad at her and he did not want to hurt her. He waited until she woke up despite the fact she was hurting his leg. She was half asleep but he needed to get to the airport. He picked her up and walked slowly to the taxi he had called. He had gotten a bus for all the kids and they would all be there.


    "Long night?" Asked the taxi driver.


    "No, just likes to sleep" Replied Uriel holding Mary''s far smaller body.


    "You look familiar have I seen you before" said the man.


    "I don''t think so" said Uriel as Mary shifted.


    They continued with the back and forth banter until they reached the airport. Uriel played the man and lifted Mary out of the car. He walked to a car he had parked at the airport a week before and drove to the facility that they used to teleport. Uriel walked passed all the guards who knew exactly who he was. He walked to the teleporter and waited.


    The massive stadium sized teleportation room had millions of small black spheres lining the wall and ceiling. The light around them seemed to swirl, then they disappeared. The appeared in an identical facility on Earth. Uriel walked up from the basement in the the hallways. He walked still holding Mary who had been asleep for at least two hours. He drove home and walked into his house.


    "Keep going and just a little deeper" Was the last thing he wanted to hear. Mary made a noise as Uriel grip shifted.


    "Who''s there?" Yelled a Voice. Uriel tried to run as silent as possible.


    "Who is this girl on top of you" said another voice.


    Uriel no longer cared about making noise and ran. He wondered if the voice was yelling at him or Atlas.


    Mary woke up from all the shaking and said "You really like holding me don''t you".


    Her light blue eyes looked at Uriel as she fell to the floor. She rolled around for a moment and began to cry.


    "You''re so mean" She cried with tears running down her face.


    "I''m so sorry I didn''t mean to hurt you" said Uriel holding Mary once again.


    "Can you give me a kiss to make it feel better" said Mary holding back her tears.


    "Why do you always do this" Asked Uriel.


    "Because I know if I hold on long enough you will fall in love with me one day" said Mary with joy.


    "Maybe I would have if things were different" Replied Uriel patting her head.


    Mary sat up and said "I said a kiss not a pat". Uriel quickly kissed her on the cheek and walked away.


    "So how are your kids doing" Asked Mary trying to start a conversation.


    "What?" Replied Uriel.


    "How are your kids" Repeated Mary.


    "Good, they''re good" Answered Uriel.


    Uriel who finally had time to sleep before he had another work day.


    "Well I have twice slept once this week so I''m going to hit the hay" said Uriel stretching his arms.


    "And I will join you to make it absolutely certain that you fall asleep" Replied Mary with a wink.


    "No thank you I am completely capable of sleeping on my own" said Uriel as he walked to his room.


    Uriel walked into his symmetrical room and locked the doors.


    (Meanwhile in Mary''s mind) "He probably just wants some space, all couples need space right? But what if someone got in his room and is going to kill him the second he falls asleep?! I can''t let that happen I have to protect him. All I have to do is lockpick the door and lay in bed beside him to protect him. But what if he is cheating maybe he has someone else with him and that''s why he wanted to be alone. That cheating son of a bitch could have another girl with him right now. I''m going to kick his fucking ass!".


    (Meanwhile in Uriel''s mind) "Finally I get to sleep without any problems".


    Uriel hugged his spare pillow and a small tear ran down his cheek. An image of vibrant red hair flashed in his mind. The sound of the door being kicked open shot through the room. Uriel let out a deep sigh "Not again".


    Uriel turned on the light walked over to Mary and grabbed her hand. He sat her on the edge of his bed and layed back down. He slept nearly a full day but still managed to wake up before six without an alarm. When he woke he saw Mary still sitting beside him on the bed. She had not moved or it seemed as if she had not moved.


    Uriel placed his hand on her shoulder asking "Did you sleep at all?".


    "I only sleep when I need to dream of you. Just kidding, I today passed out" Replied Mary.


    Uriel rubbed his eyes and changed into his suit. Mary looked through Valery''s cloths and found something she found interesting.


    "What do you think" said Mary giving a twirl as her pink hair swung side to side.


    "You look so freaking hot" is what she wished he would say but she got was "I like the blue".


    Uriel walked to his car and noticed that someone had left a pair of glasses. He recalled they belonged to one of his students by the name of Sam. Uriel drove to the college campus with unnecessary haste.  He saw far more students than be expected to join his short term extra credit class. He was going to have a replacement take over the class anyway.


    Mary walked beside him like a proud girlfriend who was too shy to hold his hand. She help his suitcase with both hands. Her light pink hair had two small braids that dangled just in front of her ears. Her round face matched well with her plump lips but did not match her hourglass figure.


    "New girlfriend Sir"  Yelled a boy named Chris.


    "No just my assistant" Replied Uriel walking into the classroom.


    The classroom had at least a forty students inside and seem to be mostly female.


    "Hello Raven" said Uriel to a particularly small students.


    "You look very handsome today" Replied Raven running up to Uriel.


    "And you look absolutely lovely as always" said Uriel with a smile.


    (Meanwhile in Mary''s mind) "How come he called her lovely and only said my dress was nice. Am I not enough for him, and how old is she? Maybe he''s a pedo or just a pervert. I have to make sure she knows Uriel is mine".


    (Meanwhile in Raven''s mind) "Maybe I should ask how Atlas is and if he''s still single. I did see him with another girl yesterday, but maybe they''re just friends. I will ask and find out, yeah I can do this just ask if my teacher''s son has a girlfriend".


    Before Raven could even utter a word Mary kissed Uriel.


    "I''m going to get a drink be right back" said Mary holding his tie.


    "Just be back soon" Replied Uriel.


    Mary look awestruck for a moment then walked away.


    "Your girlfriend is so pretty" said Raven clasping her hands together and pressing them against her left cheek.


    "She''s just a friend and please sit down the class is going to start" Replied Uriel in a cold voice.


    The class shifted every now and then as the students took pictures of the mathematical formulas for spooky motion. He explained how objects could be moved without physical interaction. He continued and explained that they had accomplished this in a lab with two hydrogen atoms. He continued with this type of talk for another hour.


    The class ended and most of the students left. Only five students remained and they waited in a line in order to ask after class questions.


    "Come on ask away" said Uriel waving his hands.


    "Well we all have the same question" said Chris pulling down his hoodie.


    "Well out with it I don''t have all day" said Uriel leaning back in his chair.


    "You know how you said you were going to send five people to Prime for a few days, when is that happening?" Asked Chris sticking his hands in his pockets.


    "Well because I''m so old I booked the hotel rooms on the wrong day so you will all be leaving tomorrow morning" said Uriel with a grin.


    All of their eyes and mouths were wide open. They began to cheer and jump from what Uriel guessed was joy. Mary walked into the room holding a basket full of what seemed to be bread and chocolate.


    "I brought you something" said Mary as she walked over to Uriel as if down a runway.


    "Thank you very much that is so kind of you" said Uriel giving Mary a hug.


    All the students could see her once fair skin turn bright red.


    "Aww you are such a cute couple" said Raven along with Alexia and Sosha.


    "We aren''t a couple she just kisses me without permission" Replied Uriel.


    Amethyst walked up to Uriel. Mary blocked her lips with a piece of bread and pulled a handgun out of what seemed to be thin air. Uriel didn''t give Mary enough time to let anyone see it and grabbed her hand.


    "Amethyst I''m sorry to inform you that I don''t date my students" said Uriel as he placed Mary''s handgun in his pocket.


    "What if I drop out of your class?" Responded Amethyst with a wink.


    "I''m a married man" Responded Uriel.


    "So you are cheating on her with Mary?" said Raven tilting her head.


    "My wife died a few years back but she is the only person I have ever loved" said Uriel.


    Amethyst took a step back saying "I''m so sorry I had no idea".


    Mary had the look of grief on her face but it soon vanished.


    "Don''t worry about it" said Uriel sitting back down.


    "You should all go home and get your clothing together" said Mary glaring at Amethyst.


    "Yeah, we should all go" said Raven.


    Raven was at the back of the group and stopped as they left.


    "I have a question" said Raven slightly moving side to side.


    "You can ask it" Replied Uriel.


    "Will Atlas be joining us" said Raven.


    "I''ll ask him if he wants to join you now that you mentioned it" said Uriel thoughtfully while taking a bite of a piece of bread.


    "Thank you very much" said Raven as was walked away.


    Mary waited until the door was closed before she asked "Why didn''t you freak out like you usually do".


    "I have to act like a respectable teacher even if it means letting you kiss me" Replied Uriel.


    "So are you saying you don''t love me?" Asked Mary.


    "I am saying I don''t love you like that" Replied Uriel.


    Uriel felt his body go limp as he fell to his knees. A bone chilling cold ran through his body and numbed most of him.


    "Are you OK" said Mary holding Uriel up.


    "I don''t know. Do you mind driving me home" said Uriel shaking from pain.


    Uriel began to shift in and out of consciousness as Mary arrived. After they arrived Uriel could hardly stand. Mary held him and walked him to his room. Uriel pulled a box from his drawer and took a needle with a light red liquid with small gray specks. He was far too shaky to inject himself so he handed the needle to Mary.


    Mary took a couple deep breaths and slid the needle into his chest. Uriel shifted as the needle pierced his veins.


    "I''m sorry I forgot that I broke my spare when you were asleep in the car" said Uriel between breaths.


    Uriel now had black eyes and thin red ring where his corona should be. Mary gave Uriel a rag to bite into so he would not break his teeth.


    When the pain subsided he held Mary''s hand and said "Thank you".


    He was still shaking heavily but hoped the next one would be that painless.