Cat N' Mau5

Chapter 20: Reunion

Mikey was running through the dark tunnels constructed of the dome that used to protect the people from the robots. Ironically it was now the very thing keeping him from escaping the robot that was in pursuit.

A stray pole stuck out and he tripped over it, having not seen it. "HELP!" He screamed, although he doubted anyone would hear him.

The cat chasing him slowed down and began to circle him, the purring of its motor chastising.

When Mikey had given in to the endless game, there was suddenly a loud thwack. He opened his eyes again to see the creature gone. The darkness was now a comfort, and he let out an anxious breath.

A dark shape shifted in front of him, a reminder that this wasn't over. Something powerful enough to beat down the cat was even more of a danger, and his heart raced.

'Then again,' Mikey thought to himself hopefully, 'the enemy of my enemy could be my friend.'

"Is everything okay," a vaguely familiar voice called out.

"Yeah, s'all good, but we could some light out here Joel."

Mikey blinked. "G-Gerard?" He faltered.

"Mikey?" The figure in front of him leant down. "Mikey, tell me that isn't you."

"It-it's me."

"Who is it?" called the other voice as it ran up with a torch. Suddenly Gerard was illuminated. Mikey could see the red eyes and pale skin, the scratches and the sad look imprinted on his face.

"It's Mikey - my brother."

***

Together Gee and I helped Mikey up. He was still in shock from the attack, and was temporarily incapacitated. Between the two of us we struggled back into our little shop, Mikey's arms slung over our shoulders.

Once we were back in the safety of locked doors, we carefully placed Mikey down where I had been before.

Gerard sat down beside his brother. "Mau5, get another water," he instructed, and I obliged without complaint.

"That's our last one, Gee," I said worryingly as I handed him the bottle.

"Gee?" Mikey sounded furious that I had referred to his brother in a pet name.

"Sssh." Gerard lay him down, opening our last water and helping Mikey sip it slowly.

"You shouldn't have come," he said gravely.

"Why not?" Mikey shot an angry look my way. "Oh I see. You've already got your rescue party."

"What? No! Joel was stranded in here with me." Gerard looked up at me hopelessly, a sadness in his eyes that I was sure my own reflected.

"I just... You shouldn't have come because I don't want you getting hurt. Now you're stuck down here with us, without anymore provisions. We're probably going to die, but at least before I could go knowing you we're safe."

"Wait, Gerard," I interrupted, "you don't know that. If Mikey found us, obviously there are other people looking too, right?"

Mikey shook his head. "Not here. They started on the other side. It could be months until they find us."

I sighed. Way to lighten the mood (teehee). "Well you're here now and there's nothing we can do to change it. All we can hope is that we can leave the same way you got here."

"Excluding glowing kitty, please." Gee looked over at me. "I think we've all had enough encounters with that one."

"Agreed," Mikey breathed.

"Okay, good. We leave tomorrow then. Rest up, and try to make that water last." I pointed at the blood on Mikey's hands and face. "Don't bother cleaning it; we can deal with it when we get back."

"If we do," he grumbled. Gerard said nothing, as if he had to stay strong for his younger brother. "Goodnight."

"Night."

Mikey rolled over so his back was to us both, facing the door. I had the feeling he was watching it, making sure no more horrors came through. I couldn't blame him; I had been the same way not so long ago.

Soon his breathing evened out into shallow puffs. As quietly as he could Gerard shuffled over to me.

"Hey," I whispered.

"Hi," he whispered back in a melancholy tone.

"It'll be alright." I pulled him closer, sharing my warmth. Careful of his back, I put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He buried his face into my shirt. "How can you be so sure?" came his muffled voice.

I didn't have an answer. His warm tears began to soak through onto my stomach. Without thinking, I placed a small kiss on the top of his head.

With big teary eyes, Gerard looked up at me. "I'm sorry," I gushed, "I wasn't thinking-"

Gerard cut me off with a gentle peck on the lips. His lips were wet and salty from crying and I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"It's okay," was all he said. Then he rolled over and was soon asleep.

***

Hey! So it's been a while since I updated :| sahrry! Gonna be doing some more soon. I'm going away so I'll get heaps done for you all, and may even finish the fic soon!

Great big thanks to everyone who's reading, especially @Acid_Detonation413 who inspired this chapter especially. I'll dedicate the chapter to you when I get on the computer.