Those With Wings

Battle

Zero's POV

There was a battle going on inside my head. Cm'on, boy...Kiss her!

No way, she'll be angry with you! another voice argued.

I still had my arms around Luanna, and she was staring into my eyes. "Are you okay, Zero?" she asked, a mocking expression forming on her face.

I hesitated. "Did you mean what you told that guy? That you don't love me?"

She looked away, but I grabbed her chin and made her look into my eyes. I brought my lips to hers and kissed her.

At first, she started and tried to pull away, and I nearly gave in, but then she stopped, and allowed me to kiss her.

I pulled away a couple of seconds later, and eyed her flushed face. "Was that okay?" I asked her.

Luanna scrambled up, and tidied her hair. "It was horrible, shushnub!"

I frowned, disappointed, but then she grabbed my face and gave me a light kiss. "Let's get inside, twirp."

I stumbled back inside, a little baffled. Luanna giggled behind me, and then tapped my shoulder. "Was that your first kiss?" she whispered.

I nodded, and flushed. "Well, was it any good?" she persisted.

I grumbled something incoherent, and she jabbed me in the ribs. "I said, was it any good, twirp?!"

"Fine," I growled, "it was fine."

She paused. "Good."

.....................................................................................................................................

Emma smiled at the boy. "Really? Nice to meet you."

Alex glanced around, and then frowned. "I'm sorry, Emma."

The girl looked confused. "Sorry? For what?"

Alex grabbed her from behind, and pressed a knife to her throat. "For this," he said, regret in his tone.

Emma was frozen. "P-please," she whispered.

"You seem really nice, Emma. It's just that I need money. Do you think you can handle that?"

She shook. "Please," she repeated, frightened. Alex sighed. "Look, I really don't want to hurt you-"

"Then don't!" Emma pleaded, tears appearing in her eyes now, "tell me who I remind you of!"

Alex hesitated, and trembled. "Her name was Evangeline."

Emma shook even more. "Was?"

"She died."

"Please- just let me go! I won't tell anyone!" Emma begged again.