I wake with a start, sitting bolt upright, trying to recognize my surroundings through the twilight gloom. I panic, I have no idea where I am. As i stand up, I remember, and calm down. I walk to the door, opening it. Ismira stands there hand positioned to knock. "I was just about to wake you, Ashlyn cooked breakfast." she says, not quite meeting my eyes. She's trying not to think about it, i can tell, but there is just no forgetting what happened. Bodies thudding as they hit the floor, screams of those in pain and dying. Laura's last breath exhaled. I pulled her to me as I did in the days, weeks, months afterwards, she hesitates for a moment, then melts into me. Crying, she whispers, "I know it happened so long ago, but I still wake up thinking she's alive, waiting to annoy me." Gruffly, i reply, "I know, that day changed everything...." An awkward cough interrupts me, Ismira quickly jumps away, wiping tears. "Sorry," Angel apologizes, "I just needed to use the bathroom, though you both should get downstairs. Nikolai has been eyeing Ashlyn for a while." I glance at Ismira, she has that steely look in her eyes that has made even me back down for years. Angel recognizes the look and quickly ducks into the bathroom, locking into the door. I follow close behind Ismira as she storms downstairs. When we get into the kitchen Ashlyn and Nikolai are sitting close by each other, Nikolai is talking animatedly and Ashlyn is blushing bright red. Ismira, the look intensifying, walks and stops in front of Nikolai. He visibly pales and starts spluttering something. Ashlyn, seeing me, gets up and sprints out of the room. I follow Ashlyn out of the room, and up to where she had stayed the night before. I knock on the door and then walk in, she is sitting on her bed with tears in her eyes. I sit next to her and start rubbing her back gently. she curls into me, starting to cry. Shouts echo from downstairs as Ismira lets loose the emotions she has been holding back. Then, as i'm going to comfort Ashlyn, I hear gunshots. Ashlyn and I look at each other in alarm, the shouts downstairs have ceased. I sprint downstairs yelling over my shoulder for Ashlyn to stay put, As I get downstairs Ismira and Nikolai gesture frantically for me to be quiet. I slow down, and creep toward the window. Outside Chris has a rifle trained on Matt, anger blazing in his eyes. "I told you I hated Morian and you invite him to join us?" Matt has his hands raised as he replies "They needed help and so I helped them, you never told me why you hated Morian so I didn't think it was this bad" Matt takes a step toward Chris. "Don't come another step!" Chris yells, "I hate him because he knew I liked Ashlyn, and he still started to date her. I hate him because he has always one-up-ed me in everything I do. He is annoying and I, I, I just hate him!" I look at Ismira with a "really?" look on my face. "I'm sure your just overreacting, Chris. Put the gun down and we will talk this over." Matt takes another step toward Chris. Another gunshot, and Matt jolts.
