Planet X Vulcan

Chapter X

Cato headed out early in the morning, not wanting to wake is brother. I hope this fight goes smoothly.  He'd been anticipating this fight for a few days, and he wouldn't let the previous days events deter him. Last fight. For my brother. On his birthday. What could possible go wrong?

Encouraging himself, he jogged through the early morning mist, making his way to the Arena. This fight wasn't a Maldove. He could easily beat his opponent. Treading on his usual path, he wound his way through the mound of houses and trash,  towards his destination. He finally got to the main doors of the Soul Space Arena with time to spare. He nodded to the guards, and off he went. The crowd was screaming and cheering, but it was little today, atleast compared to most other days. I wonder what's up with that?  He didn't give it much thought, though, and made his way to his quarters.

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Cody had successfully sneaked out of that dreadful place. One day! They keep me in that hellhole for one whole day! They don't let me go anywhere or do anything! Now the 'Big Boss' will be on my ass, as if I didn't have enough to worry about already,  Cody thought bitterly as he tip toed into the living room. Everyone was asleep already, and the girl - Zia - had loosened her guard. Cody took the mop that Akira had made him clean the house with and lifted it towards the grill in the ceiling ever so quietly. He grimaced as the grill in the air duct made a crisp scratching sound as he pushed it over, making way for himself to crawl though the ducts. When he successfully slid it over, he gave himself a mental round of applause. Now the only problem is reaching all the way up.  He looked around to see if anything could aid him. There was nothing but the couch and Akira. He did want to stand on her for what she made him do, but she'd make too much noise. So the couch it is then.  He tried to quietly drag the couch without waking Akira who was on the floor, but it made too much noise, even in the carpet. Zia's ears are like a cat. I'm surprised she didn't hear me already.  So Cody resorted to jumping. He tried to jump quietly a few times, but sadly he wasn't as agile as Zia, or as tall as Kyle.

" Cody what the shit are you doing? " a voice whispered. Cody whipped around, his heart hammering against his chest. Akira stood there watching him with those big brown eyes. Her hair was a mess, and she was yawning.

" Nothing. The.. umm....the grill was opened so I was just......you know, trying to... I was trying to close it. " he stammered, trying to look as non-suspicious as possible. His palms were sweating.

" Hills, tell me something. How stupid do I look to you? " she asked.

" Uh. It depends. " he said, shrugging his shoulders to act cool.

She flung a pillow at him, and he ducked. It hit the wall and fell with a soft thud. Cody flinched, expecting Zia to march out and slice him to ribbons. When everything was silent for a while, he relaxed.

" Cody, are you making a run for it? ' Akira said, eyes narrowed.

" No.. This isn't..... This.. This is.... I don't have a good answer. "

" Of course you don't. "

" Just.. Be quiet, okay? "

" And why would I do that? " she said innocently, plopping down on the couch and biting her nails.

" Because I will.... " he said, trailing off.

" You'll what? "

" Just sit silently, alright? You owe me. "

" No. " she said stubbornly. He sighed, exasperated. He'd have to continue his attempts to get out while distracting Akira from telling the others. He talked to her while jumping up and swinging his arms, trying to grasp the edge of the air duct opening. Just then, Akira said out loud very loudly,