Fate's Encounter

Chapter 12: Time For Action

Danny arched an eyebrow at me and jerked a thumb over his shoulder at where Xai'an vanished. "The fuck was that about?"

I ran my hands over my face counting all the ways I so wasn't going to be honest about what 'that' was about. Shit, I was still struggling with what just happened. "He's protective, Danny. I don't know."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say he's in love with you. Z, you need to be careful. No telling what sick things he'd do to you." He grimaced and visibly shuddered. 

My heart fluttered because I knew exactly what kind of 'sick things' he'd do and I hated that my body reacted almost violently to the memory. 

"You okay?" Danny stepped a bit closer to me and I nearly jumped, turning the color of a tomato. 

"Yep. Uh huh. Are we doing this or what?" I all but ran out of the room and into Ned. Thank god Xai'an had turned invisible before he left the room or Ned would be dead.

He turned to give me a lopsided grin. "Oh, hello. You smell nice. More than I can say for the rest of us."

At first I thought he meant the shampoo but then I realized I reeked of Xai'an's scent even though I had scrubbed myself for a second time. I was tempted to go bathe in that glitter perfume but I knew I was just being petty. It really was a wonderful smell...damn him.

"Thanks. I take it you're coming with us to get the bus?" I asked, trying not to sound as uncomfortable as I felt. Danny silently followed me out of the locker room.

"It was either that or kill Sean if I stayed." He shrugged unapologetically. 

"Not that I care about him, but you really don't like him do you?" I arched an eyebrow. 

Danny walked between us, stalling a bit, "Let's go. We don't have time for chats. Save it for when we're out of here safely."

When he headed out toward the court floor, Ned made a soundless mocking face behind his back. I admit it made me laugh. Out loud he said, "No. I don't. I'll tell you about it later."

If it bothered Danny that I laughed at something he couldn’t see, he didn't show it. We followed him until we got to the fireman's exit to the roof. I think it surprised all of us when the lock was not only broken on it, but crushed, which forced Danny to knock it completely off with the butt of his gun. Apparently, it had been locked before with Danny having the key. I was betting Xai'an had something to do with it.

Danny explained briefly that we were going to scout the area from the roof first before we made it across the street to the three story highschool building. I merely nodded and tried my best not to grunt from the dull ache that was starting between my legs. Fuckin hell…

"You okay?" Ned whispered below me on the ladder.

"Yep." It was all I could muster out because in all honesty, I was a little battered from Xai'an's fuck session. Thankfully neither of them could see my face because it was hot enough to light the beacons of Gondor. I can't believe I let that happen…

"Give me your hand." Danny said above me. I hadn’t even noticed he already reached the top. I took his outstretched hand and let him pull me up out of the hole. He gave Ned the same courtesy. What a nice guy. 

From up here, you could see nearly the whole town and my heart sank. There was a plume of smoke raising up in the sky for miles from the massive sinkhole that was slowly consuming it. Even in the dark you could still clearly make it out. The west side was almost already completely gone. I could tell the small library I used to spend hours at was among the decimated. 

"Fuck...he wasn't kidding, was he?" Danny mumbled next to me. I guess this was the first time he saw how bad our little town was too. It was enough to make me cry, but I bit my lip to get a hold of myself. Not yet. I couldn't cry yet.