Dangerous Game

Chapter twenty: Close Encounters

"What are you two idiots doing?" I had my hands on my hips and an agitated expression on my face. I was slightly annoyed from lack of sleep, but I really wasn't angry with them. I just wanted to have some sweet payback for the stress Seth and Kason had put me through lately.

"Great! Sleeping Beauty's finally awake!" Kason remarked, earning a slap to the head from yours truly. 

"Ow!" He said, rubbing the back of his head, "I was just joking."

I held up my fingers and started counting off, "One, don't call me Sleeping Beauty. Two, you both deserve to slapped, since your stupid quarreling woke me up-" I suddenly stopped counting when I noticed Kason's apparel...or lack of. I slapped my forehead in embarrassment. "Kason, why are you in your underwear?"

He crossed his arms, "Because, it would be rude to walk around naked." He shook his head as if to say I should already know this. "I got hot during the night. Sue me." He just shrugged it off.

"Ash, we didn't mean to wake you." Seth said apologetically. "This dork is just being as obnoxious as his breath." Seth shot a glare at Kason.

Kason crossed his arms triumphantly, "I revel in my stink." It was quite a sight with his disheveled hair and overall dirty appearance. He looked like a little kid refusing to take a bath.

I wiped my hand over my face and sighed, "You two make me exhausted." I shook my head and almost laughed to myself but remembered I was trying to be serious.

"You know, that could just be the two hours of sleep you got since you arrived at the lab..." Kason stopped when he saw the look on my face, "Just saying..."

I rolled my eyes. "Kason, go put some clothes on. We've got to get going." My stomach gave a beastly rumble. "Seth, go get the girls. We're leaving as soon as Kason gets dressed." 

Seth gave me a slight nod and went outside. Kason stood there like I'd said nothing. He was studying me carefully and he even put his finger to his lips as if pondering something.

I began to get self-conscious, "What?" I asked with an annoyed tone.

"Nope, you're not Sleeping Beauty..." He suddenly said, and then snapped his finger as if he had an idea, "I've got it! You're more like Grumpy."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

He crossed his arms again and cocked an eyebrow, "From Snow White. You know, Grumpy?"

I had a bemused look on my face. I had no idea what he was talking about. He dropped his hands to his sides and had this look that said, seriously? plastered on his face. "Oh come on! It was the only thing that kept me sane all those years in the lab. The magical world of Disney!"

"Never heard of it," I shrugged as if I didn't care. I was a little curious, though.

"Well, when this is over," He put both hands on his hips, "that is going to change, Miss Grumpy."

It was my turn to cross my arms, "Are you implying that you're staying with us after all of this is over?" I raised an eyebrow.

He smirked as he started to walk past me. He put a hand on my head and ruffled my unruly hair, causing even more disarray within my black waves. "Now, that's silly. That would also imply that I actually care about you." He shook his head, "We can't have that, now can we?" 

*********

 I was fidgeting with anticipation as we pulled back out on the road. I couldn't wait to see Jenna again. I didn't realize how much I appreciated her kindness until I'd lost it.