The S.T.F. Files, Book 4: DIATON

Ah... The Stripper Days..

Riza

"'Gretto.... i'm scared..." I admit sheepishly. We were still floating in the same spot when everyone seperated. Why? What was going on?

The sun was starting to set. I was shaking. I couldn't hold my own self up. Everything was getting very strange. I saw a bunch of butterflies.

'Gretto shook his head, "is it just me or is everything here getting weirder and weirder."

"Dunno. I thought it was already as weird as it got...but what's with all the butterflies?" I repeated my own question. A strong wind started to swirl around the bubble as it was

trying to seperate into two. I clutched onto 'Gretto for dear life. What would happen if we seperated? Where was Aly? Why do I keep asking questions when I'm scared?

"Riza don't you dare let go of me!" He shouted as the wind picked up. We couldn't wispher like before. It was too loud.

I shake my head as tears form, "I wouldn't have ever planned on it!" He held me as tight as he could. We had to get out of here somehow.

Our feet were uplifted off the ground as we were pulled in oppisite directions. I was held under the armpits very strong for I could not use my feet to latch onto him. The force

was too strong.

There had to be something we could do.

"LET ME GO!" I shouted. It was becomming very cold. I felt burried down. How could I not do anything to stop this? Wasn't I the strongest? However my powers didn't work. I

needed to escape this madness. It hurt.

Cuts appeared on our arms. I screamed in agnoy. How come I couldn't hold onto the one I loved?

'Gretto was loosing his grip on me. Because of the pain I couldn't hold on as tight. The cuts burned so bad. "Riza...just hang in there..."

"How? I don't know how long this is gonna last! It hurts...."

I got barked at, "when you took on Nature for the first time you knew you weren't gonna win and you kept attacking! So what is the difference now!?"

Thinking about it, I close my eyes and shout back, "there isn't. Only if I let go now I may never see you again! I-I can't let that happen! I need to hold on..." I mustered up all

the strength I had left and held onto him. However I was still shaking. I could see tears in his eyes too.

Another bubble with Elizabeth and her Brother comes up. They laugh looking at us. "So you are just as stupid as your step father described. Falling for the first guy who ends up

at your feet." Elizabeth stated.

"Actually I washed up at her feet. From a river." 'Gretto managed to smirk and be cocky. I don't know how.

I struggle to make out words, "that means...that means you're A.O.U. doesn't it?" I say as the cuts on my arm get deeper. I bite my lip until it bleeds.

Elizabeth's brother nods, "smart girl. Too bad you weren't smart enough to come to me."

"Who...who in hell would ever go to you? Well, nobody in hell would go to you. Nada, Flesh, and Zion won't even bow down to you. They'd all resist until the end." I state.

'Gretto almost lost his grip on me. I struggled to hold him. He lets go with his left arm to grab something out of his pocket. It was a small case. An insturment case.

"This is not the time to be performing 'Gretto. I can't hold on!" I shout. He manages to unlatch the case and grab a piccolo from the case. It had a shiny charcoal colour to it