Avatar Rose: Dusk

Chapter 61: Rose

Sure, make the girl who seems to get kidnapped on a daily basis sleep outside. I'm still trying to get used to having someone order me around all the time. I slink out the broken window, with Luna tumbling behind me, sending a series of barks at everyone for no apparent reason.

"Don't worry, he didn't mean it. You're just as much of a person as everyone else," I whisper into her ear, smiling.

Luna and I find a nice grassy spot not too far away from the cabin. She won't stop licking my face, wagging her tail so ferociously that it takes out a small tree.

I lead Luna down to the stream and even catch a fish for her to eat. She gobbles the slimy thing down, then sniffs around for more things to devour. I hear a terrified squeal and note that she was successful.

I peek through the trees and see something that makes me gasp. "Luna wha-- DON'T EAT THAT!" I shout.

She immediately spits the small creature out as if it was poison. Her snout wrinkles as she glares at me with slightly irritated eyes.

Luna was about to eat a kitten. I rush over to the poor animal frantically, scooping it up in my arm(s). It's a bit slobbery, but besides that it seems fine. It hisses at Luna, sinking deeper into my shirt. Luna growls.

"No, Luna. He's a friend," I say, holding the kitten up to her face. He hisses again. She tilts her head, then starts panting happily, giving it a slobbery lick.

I giggle. "Good girl!"

I ride back to our little spot, but realize I'm not the only one there. I find the whole gang in the area with a fire and tents. They roast marshmallows over the fire.

"What are you guys doing?" I ask suspiciously.

Rowan grins. "We decided to join you outside."

"Uhh... Okay," I mumble, confused on why they would do such a thing.

It's called being a good friend.

Liesel is delighted at the sight of the kitten. I smile a little as she begins to cradle it in her arms, cooing soft words.

"Whatcha gonna name it?" She asks cheerfully.

I grin. "Stewart."

The talking goes to silence as everyone hears that. They stare at me for a moment in bewilderment.

"You're naming him Stewart? Can't you pick a nicer name?" Gwen asks.

I glare at her defensively. "What's wrong with the name Stewart!?"

"Well nothing I guess... it's just not a name I'd think right off the top of my head."

"You suck at names, Rose," Evan cuts in dryly.

"I think it's a fine name," Xander chirps.

"Didn't you name a fox we found Fred once?" Rowan chuckles.

Everyone laughs at this. At first my instinct is to be angry. But I just smile, shrugging.

"Let's play truth or dare," Gwen offers with a smile. Everyone seems to agree as I remain silent. I hate this game.

Gwen turns to Evan. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Evan decides bluntly.

"I dare you to kiss someone in this group."

Evan's face reddens. I can see him about to protest, but then pecks a quick kiss on Liesel's cheek. Her face turns tomato red and we all stare at him with shock.

"What? She was the closest person to me. Didn't mean anything..." He mumbles defensively.

Hah, liar.

I smirk, but it quickly fades when he turns to me, an evil grin plastered to his face. I gulp.

"T- truth," I say immediately.

"If you had to date anyone in this group besides Nathan, who would it be?" He asks.

My cheeks flush with embarrassment and my gaze lowers as I play with my hair awkwardly. "Xander," I mumble.

Everyone laughs except Nathan and I. I'm just relieved Xander doesn't feel humiliated. But I guess everyone kind of knew my answer beforehand anyway.

My turn. My eyes land on Nathan. I choose to stop ignoring him now, and I see his eyes light up slightly.

"Truth or dare?" I question.

"Err... dare," he replies.

"Lick the floor."

After quite a few rounds, we're all laughing and having fun. Gwen has to sit in Rowan's lap for the rest of the game, while Evan has to find out how many marshmallows he can fit in his mouth at once.

I also find out that Evan has an extra toe, and that Rowan accidentally dropped my toothbrush into the toilet when we were kids.

"You what?" I stare at Rowan with disbelief, disgusted.

"That was years ago! You would've killed me if I told you!" He protests.

"That's okay. I'm just glad you can't get mad at me if I 'accidentally' do the same to your toothbrush," I reply with an evil smile.

I begin to relax. It's nice to act like a normal teenager for once. It's a luxury that I've never really been able to afford.

Xander says that he'll be able to finish my arm tomorrow, meaning we'll be leaving very soon. Stewart has seemed to decide he's a member of our "Team Avatar" too. He's draped over my shoulders like a little scarf, purring in his sleep.

As the night becomes late, we all pack into our tents- one for girls and the other for the boys.
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Before I open my eyes, I watch the serial killer crumple on to the floor again. Dead. Because of me. I find myself clutching at the fabric of the tent, trying to calm myself down. Sunshine peeks through the tent, but everyone seems sound asleep.