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Prelude

Nemo Davis slowly regained consciousness, his head throbbing with pain. His eyes fluttered open, as he found himself slumped in the driver's seat of a mangled car. The sound of sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. When Nemo kicked open the jammed door, orange sunlight poured in. He was hyperventilating.

A pair of officers gingerly approached the wreckage, the looks of concern on their faces quickly transformed with a tense realization– the moment their eyes met Nemo's towering visage, they recognized him as a wanted, dangerous criminal. Long greasy hair hung disheveled around his long face, partially obscuring the wild gray eyes which screamed of defiance and desperation. Without hesitation, the officers swiftly shifted gears, their professional demeanor solidifying into a determined resolve. With firm commands and practiced precision, they swiftly restrained the dazed Nemo, his hands tightly secured behind his back. The atmosphere crackled as they led the man away from the wreckage towards the awaiting Earth District squad car.

With lightning speed and unexpected force, Nemo launched himself forward, headbutting one of the officers repeatedly against the side of the squad car. The repeated impacts reverberated, leaving the other officer momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity of this towering figure. The officer at Nemo's feet, shaken and disoriented, hesitated to react, briefly frozen by the shocking turn of events.

It was in this crucial moment that Nemo's agility and resourcefulness came into play. With a swift maneuver and unearthly popping sound, he contorted his body, bending his handcuffed arms over his head, revealing that he had already acquired the wounded officer's pistol. The metallic gleam of the weapon caught the evening sun. Demonstrating all the conscience of an engrossed surgeon, Nemo shot the wounded officer in the face. Not skipping a beat, Nemo dropped to the ground.

He had a clear shot at the other officer's foot, and accompanied by a terrific yelping sound, Nemo took the shot. Afterwards he casually, but just in the nick of time, climbed atop the squad car as the remaining officer screamed:

"YOU BASTARD, NEMO, YOU KILLED HIM – "

Nemo Davis hopped off the squad car and landed with his boot heel in the officer's teeth. Davis, again quite casually, shot the man in the brain. Soon enough he was driving into the sunset, through the arid alpine hills, in a stolen squad car. With long fingernails he slicked back his hair.

"Hardly,' he said. 'You guys killed yourselves."

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countenanceblog · 2 years ago

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Chapter 1

Eighteen-year-old Maggie Campbell stepped out of the taxi, her bright green eyes widening in awe as she took in the sight before her. The sprawling university campus stood proudly with its red brick buildings, exuding a timeless charm. The whisper of students' voices mingled with the academic air. As Maggie entered the main hall, sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the polished floors. The sound of footsteps echoed against the grand architecture, creating a symphony of anticipation and possibility. Maggie couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as she embarked on this new chapter.

Out of the corner of her green eye, Campbell spotted someone who piqued her interest. She approached that gaggle of students. Soon enough...

"Maggie!," shouted Gwyneth. She was unusually tall, a little over six feet; and she had long black hair to match Maggie's. "You see her, guys? That's my cousin!"

"Hi Gwyn," said Maggie. Her cousin extended her arms in an embrace, and reluctantly Maggie participated. "Who are your friends?," she asked, looking over the faces of the two young women who seemed to gravitate around Gwyneth's compelling aura.

"Hey there, I'm Yuki Yakamoto," said the girl with a devious glint in her dark eyes, her straight black hair cascading in a perfect wave down her back. "Gwynnie here talks about you all the time. Nice to finally meet you."

"Yeah, like, hi," added Valarie Kaseman, the other girl with an air of dullness about her, her voice lacking enthusiasm. She twirled a lock of her golden hair absentmindedly.

Gwyneth beamed, clearly the extroverted center of attention. "This is my cousin, Maggie. She's super smart and creative, I mean, seriously bright," Gwyneth said with admiration, nudging Maggie gently.

Maggie blushed, "Oh, um, thank you," she said softly. Yuki grinned mischievously, eyeing Maggie.

"So, Maggie, ready to dive into the college madness? Gwynnie and I can show you all the tricks to navigate."

Gwyneth's excitement bubbled up. "Totally! And we'll have the most epic adventures together. You'll see, Maggie, college life is gonna be amazing!"

Maggie couldn't help but smile, feeling reassured by Gwyneth's enthusiasm. "I'm excited to explore it all with you guys. And, um, thank you for being so welcoming."

Yuki chuckled, leaning in conspiratorially. "We're gonna have so much fun, Maggie. Just wait and see. Life with us is, like, a rollercoaster."

Valarie chimed in with a yawn, "Yeah, a really slow and painful rollercoaster." Yuki rolled her eyes, playfully swatting Valarie's arm.

As the four young women laughed and continued chatting, Maggie felt a sense of belonging and a glimmer of excitement for the adventures that awaited her in the company of her lively, valley-girl friends. Little did she know how much her life was about to change with this newfound friendship. The campus seemed even more enchanting as they strolled together, portending memories that would last. Just as the laughter and camaraderie filled the air, a sudden shadow fell upon the group. Out of the corner of Maggie's eye, she spotted a figure that exuded an aura of mystery and coolness. It was none other than Aleister Fawkes, the campus' resident enigma.

Aleister approached the group with a confident stride, dressed in his signature black attire adorned with intricate zippers, looking like he stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. His blond hair, cropped short, glistened in the sunlight, and his blacked-out circular glasses added an air of mystique to his appearance.

"Hey there, ladies," Aleister greeted with a voice that seemed to resonate with emotional depth. "I couldn't help but notice all the laughter and joy emanating from this lively bunch. Mind if I join you for a turn?"

Maggie was intrigued by Aleister's presence, finding it hard to resist the charm that oozed from him. Gwyneth, never one to back down from making new friends, eagerly introduced Aleister to the group.

"Everyone, meet Aleister Fawkes. He's the epitome of coolness," Gwyneth exclaimed, her excitement barely contained.

Yuki's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she gave Aleister a playful smirk. "Coolness, huh? Yeah, I guess."

Valarie, seemingly unimpressed by Gwyneth's introduction, glanced at Aleister with a hint of skepticism. "Let's see if he lives up to the hype."

Despite the initial skepticism, Aleister effortlessly blended into the group dynamic, engaging each of the girls in intriguing conversations that flowed with wit and charm. He shared captivating stories of his adventures and criminal forays that seemed almost too fantastical to be true.

Maggie found herself drawn to Aleister's creative and imaginative spirit. As they spoke, she couldn't help but feel a connection to him, sensing that there was much more beneath the surface of this mysterious individual.

Throughout their time on the grassy quad, Aleister effortlessly switched between lighthearted banter and deep, thought-provoking discussions, leaving the group both amused and contemplative. He seemed to possess a unique ability to bring out the best in everyone, amplifying their individual personalities in the process.

He left them with a parting gift - a hand-drawn map to an unknown hidden spot on campus, promising that they would find something extraordinary there.

With a smile, Aleister disappeared into the horizon, leaving the young women with a lingering sense of wonder and excitement for the adventures that awaited them in the company of this, well, weirdo.

"He's pretty sexy," said a dismissive Valarie. "But I wouldn't fuck him." She looked over to Maggie. "Say, hon, when's your first class?"

A frog started hopping around in Maggie's throat. "Right now," she said. She was making faces at her watch.

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Chapter 2

Maggie Campbell entered the cozy red-brick building that housed her dormitory, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her after a long day of classes. As she stepped into the foyer, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of a cute couple locked in a gentle embrace, stealing kisses between giggles. It was a heartwarming sight.

Walking down the hallway, she reached her dorm room, where she had been living alone this morning. But as she opened the door, to her surprise, she found the room no longer empty. There stood Karen Clearwater, a freshman girl with long wavy red hair and a pronounced ridge on her nose, who was much shorter than Maggie at five feet two inches tall.

"Hey there! You must be my new roommate," Karen chirped with an enthusiastic smile, seemingly unfazed by Maggie's sudden appearance. "I'm Karen, nice to meet you!"

Maggie returned the greeting, intrigued by Karen's eccentric aura and unique appearance. "I'm Maggie. It's nice to meet you too. You moved in pretty quickly!"

Karen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, I couldn't wait to start my college adventure, you know? It's just that I've been away from my brother Rufus for, like, a day, and I already miss him like crazy! He's so tall."

Maggie raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Karen's fixation on her brother Rufus. "Oh, really? Tell me more about him."

And so, the conversation continued with Karen enthusiastically sharing anecdotes about Rufus, painting a vivid picture of his brilliance and charm. Despite the seemingly banal nature of their discussion, Karen's idiosyncratic personality shone through in every sentence she spoke. She constantly fiddled with a small dreamcatcher hanging on the wall, and her expressions danced with a mix of excitement and nostalgia whenever she mentioned her brother.

After a while, Karen steered the conversation toward her academic pursuits. "By the way, I'm majoring in linguistics. Isn't that fascinating? Languages have always intrigued me. I believe they hold the key to unlocking the secrets of human expression."

Maggie couldn't help but smile at Karen's unbridled enthusiasm. "That sounds amazing! Linguistics is such an interesting field. I'm glad you found a passion for it."

Karen's eyes lit up with an idea. "Hey, Maggie, you seem cool. How about you come to a party at my brother's house tonight? I'm sure you'll love him too, and it'll be a blast!"

Maggie hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the best of her. "Sure, why not? I'd love to meet him."

With that, the stage was set.

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Chapter 3

The drive to Rufus' house was an adventure in itself. Karen drove the car with confidence, excitement dancing in her eyes as she approached the tall coyote fence. As they pulled in through the big gate, the sprawling property revealed itself, bathed in the warm glow of string lights that illuminated the night. The large single-story adobe mansion stood majestically in the center, exuding an air of charm and mystery.

Around the house, people mingled and laughed, the sound of their conversations and laughter filling the air. Beer flowed freely, and the chatter was accompanied by the infectious beats of lively music, setting the party atmosphere alive. Karen expertly parked the car among others, and as Maggie glanced around, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure - Aleister Fawkes, his black-clad attire making him stand out in the crowd.

Karen turned to Maggie with a grin, "Here we are, Maggie! Welcome to Fort Retard!" Maggie smiled in spite of herself. She spoke up.

"Fort Retard? Who's the retard?"

Karen shook her head. "Xander, the one whose dad owns the house. Rufus just rents a room here."

As they made their way through the busy garage, they were met by a short, brown-skinned young man with a hawk-like nose and a long voluminous black ponytail - Francisco Lobo. He had a certain pirate-like swagger, dressed impeccably in sharp black business attire, which added an intriguing contrast to the otherwise casual party.

Francisco flashed a charming smile at Maggie, "Ahoy there, lovely lady! I'm Francisco, but my friends call me Wolf. Pleasure to meet such a captivating soul amidst this sea of revelry."

Maggie couldn't help but blush at the compliment, charmed by Francisco's confident demeanor. "Hi, I'm Maggie. Nice to meet you, Francisco."

With a playful wink, Francisco continued, "If you ever need a pirate to show you around these treacherous party waters, I'm your man."

Karen giggled, nudging Maggie gently, "Wolf here is quite the character. But don't worry, he's all bark and no bite. Plus, his girlfriend is around here somewhere.”

As they continued into the house, the party's vibrant energy enveloped them. The large kitchen was a hub of activity, filled with people sharing stories and clinking cans. The room felt alive with laughter and camaraderie. Xander, whom Karen indicated with her index finger, was playing video games in the adjacent living room.

At the center of the kitchen, Karen introduced Maggie to her brother Rufus, who had a welcoming smile and an aura of warmth that made everyone feel at ease. Rufus thanked Maggie for joining the party, and soon, she found herself drawn into a conversation with Rufus himself. He was quite tall, unlike his sister; perhaps six feet and four inches tall. His hair and eyes, like Maggie's, were dark and green respectively. He wore camouflage.

"I kind of can't believe you guys are related," said Campbell. She motioned towards Karen, who was busy with another conversation.

"We're not, actually," said Rufus. "She's my step-sister." He had a strangely disappointed look on his face.

"Oh. Oh," said Maggie.

"Do you want a beer?," Rufus inquired.

"I'd love one," said Maggie. "Hey, do you know that Aleister guy? He seems like a character."

"Quite well," answered Rufus. "Actually, I'm collecting characters. Trying to make my own scene, here. I want all the most interesting people in Air Town to come by this house. Speaking of which, where are you from?"

"I'm from Dalton, north of – "

"Monolith," intoned Rufus.

"That's a mighty small town," cut in a third voice. An old man, perhaps seventy, with a jovial look on his round face, interjected. He was dressed all in simple clothes and earth tones. With a gruff smile he planted a beer in Maggie's hand. "You're a lovely young woman, what's your name?" Maggie squirmed in her seat.

"It's Maggie," she answered him.

"Don't worry about Ralph," said Rufus. "He's actually our commander in chief, or whatever, here at Fort Retard. He's much less dangerous than Junior – ”

Hearty laughter burst, almost thundered, from deep in Ralph's pronounced belly. “Damn straight!,” he agreed; his beer swaying in his hand. “Where is he anyway?” With that, Ralph Rockland simply walked away.

"My landlord," said Rufus Gage. He indicated Maggie's beer. She handed it to him. With a flick of his lighter, Gage popped open the beer.

"Neat. Kind of charming, isn't he? Ralph."

"Not really, no," said Rufus. He grinned. Rufus had an unusually large mouth, and likewise pointed teeth. "You're at Varney right? What're you studying?"

"Political Science," said Maggie. She quickly pounded her beer. Rufus looked impressed.

"You seem pretty cool," said Rufus. There was a certain sense of vulnerability about him suddenly. "That's what my dad had his degree in. He was an A.I. guy."

"Agarthan Intelligence? Really?"

"Yeah, really. No one believes me when I tell them that. I usually have to get Karen to vouch for me." Maggie nodded along. "Yeah, he killed people and all that stuff. Knew a bunch of state secrets. Didn't tell me many."

Maggie gulped. "What happened to him?"

"He ran away when I was ten. He's probably dead. He was running from the state. There's nowhere to go anymore. Even in Cortez, they find you eventually." Maggie nodded gravely. She wiped off her upper lip.

"Do you think he left? To the Deadlands, I mean."

"That's what I'm saying, he's dead either way – ”

"HEY GIRLY!," came the exclamation from Yuki. She and Valarie, who both had exceptionally narrow waists and full, high bosoms, were dressed in luxurious skimpy outfits. Gwyneth stood between them, dressed more or less like a librarian. Yuki's mischievous grin and Valarie's absentminded gaze contrasted starkly with Gwyneth's composed demeanor.

"Hey, girlies! What's cookin' in this kitchen?," Yuki said, flipping her hair flirtatiously as she approached Rufus. Rufus pointedly checked her out, rather than Val.

Valarie chimed in, her voice lacking enthusiasm, "Yeah, we heard there was a new girl in town. Sup?”

Maggie exchanged a polite smile with Yuki and Valarie, taken aback by their bold presence. Rufus, never one to hold back his caustic humor, couldn't resist adding, "Ah, the dynamic duo. Yuki and Valarie, the epitome of airheaded grace."

Yuki feigned offense, "Oh, Rufus, you want me.”

Valarie winked at Maggie and nodded, "Yeah, he secretly does.” Rufus scratched his head.

“Secretly?,” he wondered aloud.

Gwyneth rolled her eyes playfully, "You two never fail to make an entrance."

As the lively banter continued, the atmosphere in the kitchen became a mixture of sarcasm, wit, and girlish charm. Rufus' cynicism interwove with Yuki's devious nature, Valarie's dull responses juxtaposed Gwyneth's intelligence, and Maggie's introverted observations cataloged all of it.

In the midst of the playful exchange, a short young man with a long voluminous black ponytail approached the group. "Ahoy there, ladies and gents! Enjoying the party, I hope?," Francisco greeted with a confident smile.

Yuki's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Hey, Francisco, you still searching for buried treasures?"

Francisco winked, "Always on the hunt, my dear Yuki. And might I say, you're a treasure worth finding."

Yuki laughed, "Smooth talker, as always."

Valarie blinked and looked disinterested, "So, what's the deal with the pirate vibes, Wolf?"

Francisco leaned in, "Ah, just my way of adding a little flair to the party. Keeps things interesting.”

Gwyneth chimed in, "Francisco does have a certain charm to him. He's always doing some sort of bit.”

Maggie observed the interactions, taking it all in, quietly amused by the eclectic mix of personalities surrounding her. She could hear Xander shouting “Fuck!” in the next room. His voice was... Odd.

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Chapter 4

The spacious living room was filled with an electric atmosphere as the group gathered around the large screen, where Xander and Corey engaged in an intense fighting game. The crowd of spectators cheered and shouted, adding to the excitement.

Rufus, with his characteristic caustic humor, leaned over to Yuki and Maggie, smirking. "Watch this. Xander is about to suffer another humiliating defeat."

Yuki chuckled mischievously, her dark eyes twinkling. "Oh, I love watching him get all worked up about this game. It's hilarious."

Maggie couldn't help but join in the amusement as they watched Xander's character fall victim to Corey's skilled gameplay. When the match ended, Xander stood up, clearly frustrated, and then he noticed Maggie, who was standing nearby with Yuki and Rufus. Corey followed Xander's gaze, intrigued by the new face in the group.

"Hey, I'm Xander," he said with a hint of awkwardness, running a hand through his messy brown hair. "Nice to meet you."

Maggie smiled warmly, shaking Xander's hand. "I'm Maggie. It's great to meet you too."

Corey spoke up next: "I'm Corey. Good to have some fresh blood in the mix."

Yuki, always the devious one, chimed in, "Yeah, Maggie's Gwyneth's cousin. Me and Val are protecting her from you two." Xander and Corey looked at each other.

Rufus, ever the witty one, couldn't resist adding, "Oh, yes, the long-lost cousin. The prodigy among us."

Maggie blushed slightly, feeling a mix of amusement and self-consciousness under Rufus' teasing gaze. "Well, I'm not sure about that, but I'm excited to be here. You really did make a scene of your own."

Xander, seemingly not bothered by the playful banter, leaned in with genuine curiosity. "So, what brings you to Fort Retard? Ready to dive into the chaos?"

Maggie chuckled, feeling a sense of ease with the group. "Yeah, I'm ready for some chaos and adventure. College life seems like a rollercoaster."

Xander grinned, clearly enjoying the conversation. "Oh, you have no idea! Of course, uh, neither do I. I only went to community college for a couple semesters."

"And I technically have a ninth-grade level education," said Rufus with a wide smile.

As the conversation flowed, they discovered more about each other. Xander, despite his awkward demeanor, revealed a passion for ancient mythology and folklore. He spoke animatedly about his favorite myths and legends, captivating the group with his extensive knowledge.

Corey, with his charismatic storytelling skills, shared hilarious anecdotes from his athletic endeavors and his adventures with friends. He had an infectious energy that drew everyone in.

Gwyneth, with her composed demeanor and intelligent insights, steered the conversation with thoughtful questions, sparking engaging discussions about various topics.

Rufus and Yuki, well, they poked fun at everyone. And Maggie, being the introverted observer, quietly soaked in all the interactions, content to listen and learn from the fascinating individuals around her. She felt a sense of camaraderie with the group, a feeling of being accepted and valued for who she was.

As the night wore on, the group moved from the living room to explore other areas of Ralph's mansion, each room offering a unique experience. There was a cozy study filled with books and curious artifacts, a game room with a pool table and vintage arcade games, and an enchanting garden courtyard illuminated with fairy lights and hidden spots for private conversations. At just one of these spots, in this case a very undersized bench, Maggie and Rufus found the palest girl Maggie had ever seen. She was sitting by herself, not smoking a cigarette or anything. She had long silvery dyed hair and absolutely stunning features. Rufus smiled widely at her.

"What's up, Beth?," he asked her.

Beth Somerset glanced up from her spot on the small bench, her sharp eyes locking onto Rufus with a mix of amusement and skepticism. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here," she said, her voice laced with dry sarcasm. "Rufus, my man, what are you doing with a freshman girl? Aren't you supposed to be the seasoned, sophisticated twenty-three-year-old here?"

Rufus laughed heartily, undeterred by Beth's teasing. "Oh, Beth, you always know how to pop this balloon," he replied, nudging Maggie playfully. "This is my dear friend Maggie, and yes, she's a freshman. But trust me, she can handle herself just fine in this chaotic world we call college." Beth caught Rufus eyeing her fishnets.

"You aren't even remotely an academic."

Maggie, though caught off guard by Beth's caustic demeanor, found herself intrigued by the enigmatic girl before her. "Hi, I'm Maggie. Nice to meet you," she said with a friendly smile, trying her best to overpower Beth's dry wit.

Beth's lips curled into a sly grin as she observed Maggie. "Oh, nice to meet me, huh? Well, I suppose I'll take that as a compliment. I'm Beth, the vampire girl, in case you were wondering," she said, gesturing to her dark and mysterious attire.

Rufus chuckled, enjoying the interaction between his two friends. "Beth here is the queen of sarcasm and mystery. You'll get used to it, Maggie. She's just being Beth."

Beth shrugged nonchalantly, "Can't help it. Sarcasm is my first language." She then turned her attention back to Rufus. "So, are you introducing all the fresh faces to the chaotic circus you've created here?"

Rufus nodded, looking pleased with himself. "Of course, I need to share the magic of Fort Retard with everyone. And Maggie here is already fitting in like a pro. She's got that quiet observer thing going on, which is perfect for our quirky bunch."

Maggie smiled, feeling a sense of acceptance from Beth despite her biting comments. "I'm just trying to take it all in and learn from the best," she replied.

Beth raised an eyebrow. "Well, you've got quite the crew here. I guess that makes you one of us now. Welcome to the madness, fresh blood."

Yuki and Valarie, who had been wandering around the courtyard, joined the conversation, their eyes lighting up when they saw Beth. "Beth! You're out of hiding!," Yuki exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Who's this poor soul you're tormenting?"

Beth chuckled, "This is Maggie, the freshman who had the unfortunate luck of encountering Rufus today."

Valarie chimed in, "Poor thing. We should throw her a welcome party. Actually, I guess this is it right now."

Before Maggie could respond, Gwyneth approached the group, her calm and composed demeanor contrasting with the energy of her friends. "I heard there's a manhunt for Nemo Davis," she said, her tone serious. "The authorities are getting desperate, and they believe he might be hiding in Air Town. Everyone needs to be cautious."

The mention of Nemo Davis' name brought a momentary hush over the group. The prospect of him hiding in their town was more than unsettling, given the nature of his crimes . . .

Rufus broke the silence, "Well, it looks like the chaos just got a little more intense. We'll have to keep our eyes open and be extra cautious. But for now, let's enjoy the night and keep the good vibes going."

Beth nodded, "Agreed. No need to let fear ruin the fun. Let's continue the circus and show Maggie how we do things at Fort Retard."

With that, the lively atmosphere returned to the courtyard as the group carried on with their adventures and shenanigans. Maggie felt a sense of excitement mingled with caution, as she embraced the camaraderie of her newfound friends.

As the night wore on, the group continued their explorations through the mansion, their laughter and silliness echoing through the halls. Aleister Fawkes, with his characteristic coolness and charisma, effortlessly glided through the rooms, eventually finding the group.

Beth, the enigmatic vampire girl, seemed to have a particular magnetism around Aleister. Their interactions were filled with playful banter and teasing remarks, creating an atmosphere of playful romance that didn't go unnoticed by the others.

In the game room, as Corey and Yuki engaged in an intense game of air hockey, Beth sauntered over to Aleister, a sly smile playing on her lips. "So, Aleister, are you here to sweep me off my feet with your enchanting tales again?"

Aleister flashed a charming grin. "Ah, my dear Beth, I'm always at your service with tales of wonder and mystery. But I must admit, it's you who has a way of sweeping me off my feet with your captivating aura."

Beth raised an eyebrow, pretending to be unfazed by Aleister's smooth words. "Oh, save the flattery for someone who falls for it. I'm not so easily charmed."

Rufus, who was nearby, chimed in with a laugh. "Come on, Beth, we all know there's a spark between you two. It's like watching a classic in black and white."

Yuki, who had momentarily paused her game, joined in with a mischievous grin. "Yes, you're the sassy and mysterious heroine, and Aleister is the charming rogue with a heart of gold."

Aleister chuckled, playing along with the teasing. "Ah, so I'm the rogue now? I suppose I can't argue with that. But every rogue needs a partner in crime, haven't you ever heard of Alley and Cat?"

Beth rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Fine, fine, if you want to play the rogue, then I'll be your daring accomplice in this circus."

As they continued their playful banter, Maggie watched the interaction between Aleister and Beth with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. There was something undeniably captivating about the way they teased each other, a dance of words that seemed to hide a deeper connection.

In the enchanting garden courtyard, bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights, Aleister and Beth found themselves seated on a stone bench, away from the rest of the group. Their conversation took a more intimate turn, with moments of shared laughter and stolen glances that spoke volumes.

Beth, usually guarded and reserved, seemed to let her walls down around Aleister. She leaned in closer, her eyes holding a glimmer of vulnerability.

"Aleister,” muttered Beth. "Do you know what happened with my last boyfriend?" Aleister didn't budge.

"No, my sweet, you never did tell me.”

"He cheated on me with three different girls. Years ago, now. I've been saving for myself for someone who won't use me. And you know what, Alley-boy?"

"W-what's that?," asked Aleister, his facade cracking.

"You want to use me, I can see it when I follow your eyes. They glide across me, or maybe they slither like snakes. You want to fuck me. And you know what? I'm tired of waiting. I'm going to let you use me."

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Chapter 5

"Where'd Beth go, anyway?," wondered Rufus aloud.

"You mean Beth and Aleister," said Karen.

The two of them were sitting atop a small green bed a reasonable distance apart from each other in an almost perfectly cube-shaped room with green painted on the walls. Each of the step-siblings had a controller in their hand. The controllers were connected to a dusty GS and a dusty little television. Behind the television was a strange array of photographs and art pieces nearly covering the green wall. Someone tried the door which was nestled in the corner of the room, facing diagonally.

"Fuck off!," was Rufus' apparent general feeling.

"Dude, it's Wolf," said Karen. Rufus did a double take.

"How do you . . . uh, whatever. Go ahead, open the door." Without anyone touching it, the doorknob slowly turned. It clicked, and a hammered Francisco came pouring in. "Close the door man, it's loud out there."

"Who opened the . . . oh, whatever,” said Francisco. "Rachel's after me. She was pulling this girl's hair, just because I was talking to her." Quickly and sharply Wolf shut the door behind him. He locked it, too.

"Rachel again? She's relentless," Rufus remarked, smirking at Francisco's exasperation.

Karen, with her characteristic quirkiness, chimed in, "Perhaps she has an irrational fear of you stealing all the ladies, Francisco. It's quite a common condition, you know."

Francisco grinned, his swagger still intact despite the commotion outside. "Well, I can't help it if I'm irresistible," he replied playfully, flashing a wink at Karen.

Karen rolled her eyes but couldn't help but chuckle. "Please, don't feed his ego anymore. It's already big enough to fill this entire . . . green room."

Rufus nodded, adding his trademark sarcasm to the conversation, "True, true. We wouldn't want his head to get stuck in here."

Francisco laughed, running a hand through his wavy hair. "Come on, guys, you know you love me. But enough about my charm, what's going on out there? Why is Rachel causing a scene?"

Karen shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who knows with Rachel? She's a force of nature, and when she sets her sights on something, there's no stopping her."

Rufus leaned back against the green wall, his demeanor relaxed. "Yeah, she's like a hurricane in human form. But hey, speaking of forces of nature, what's the deal with you and Beth, Francisco? I saw you two in the courtyard earlier, and there was definitely something brewing between you."

Francisco's grin widened, and he chuckled knowingly. "Ah, you caught that, did you? Well, what can I say, Beth has a way of getting under my skin in the most intriguing way."

Karen raised an eyebrow. "Oh, do tell. What's the story between you two?"

Rufus chimed in. "He's going to bullshit us, Karen."

"I know." Karen steepled her fingers. Francisco was visibly deflated by this; in turn Rufus smiled widely.

"Yeah, fine. There's no story there. I barely even know Beth," admitted Francisco as a juvenile laughter overtook him. "But I almost had you going!"

A small fist rapped on the door. Rachel's, in this moment highly shrill, voice echoed through the manse. "Is he in there?!

Rufus turned to Francisco. "Go out the fucking window, bro." Francisco looked back and forth between Rufus, Karen and the window. Without any further hesitation, he opened it while Rachel screamed on.

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Chapter 6

Maggie Campbell awoke with a splitting headache. There was an unfamiliar arm draped across her breasts, and she could feel she was naked beneath the green sheets. Muted early morning light streamed into Rufus’ green bedroom through the windows.

Her memory started its climb out of a thick fog. "Oh my God," she said. "I let him fuck me."

Rufus, half asleep, leaned into her. "Hrng, what?"

"Oh my God."

"Oh, oh hi there Maggie. Hi, hello. My head hurts. Oh no. Please tell me you, uh –" Rufus' heart rate went up. He pulled the sheet over his chest in an attempt to walk things back.

"Don't worry big guy, I remember." Maggie could feel something warm pressing against her generous butt. "Kind of. I kind of remember. What happened?"

Rufus, who was also completely ignoring the warm development, replied forthwith. "Well, let's see. By Hel, um, do you want to . . . Disentangle?" Maggie pressed her derriere against Rufus' hard cock.

"No, I don't. Tell me what happened."

"Oh boy. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Let's see. You came in here at about 3:00 AM, you were uh, oh God. You were pretty drunk. You started kissing me while Karen was in the bathroom, I took off your clothes, and then . . . " Rufus’ groin was very much alight.

"What?" Maggie was by now rubbing herself on him.

"Shit, fuck. Karen came back." Rufus suddenly sat up. "Karen saw us! Oh no!" His green eyes darted around. Maggie rolled hers.

"Ugh, I wanted this to be a little bit romantic, my fucking head hurts, and you're talking about your step-sister. That doesn't even make sense. Are you scared she's jealous?" Rufus continued to, well, panic.

"No, yes, maybe! That's not the point! She saw us together, that's going to be super weird for her!"

Maggie huffed. "Is that the point?"

"Yes, it is, I swear." Rufus crumpled a bit, beginning to relax. "I swear I just don't want to hurt her feelings."

"I can't tell if this is creepy, sweet, or both. Anyway you ruined it," said Maggie. Rufus rose an eyebrow at her.

"Ruined it? Why are the sheets red? Are you on your period?" Rufus was talking faster and more directly than he realized, by a wide margin. Maggie teared up.

"I'm a virgin, or I was. Yesterday." She began to cry. Gage's green eyes ballooned. He put his hands on Maggie's shoulders as she sat up.

"I didn't mean to, I didn't."

"You were more drunk than I was," said Maggie curtly. "I'm not angry about that. I'm angry you aren't being nice."

"I'll be nice, I swear. Can I, can I kiss you please?"

"Oh, so now it's please and thank you? What happened to all those names you were calling me last night?" Maggie dried her tears with the back of her hand. She was already finished making her black makeup run.

"Wow," said Rufus. "You're right. I'm a fuckup."

"Smart man," said Maggie. She turned to Rufus, their faces only a few inches apart. Their green eyes were locked. "I've got you at a disadvantage."

"Yeah, you do," said Rufus. "Can I kiss you now?"

"I can't believe you're still asking. Yes, you can."

Rufus kissed her about twice as vigorously as she was expecting. Slowly the kiss came to a halt, as he bit Maggie's lower lip gently.

"I'm all out of shit to say."

"You are smart, aren't you?"

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Chapter 7

Rufus Gage wandered into Ralph's kitchen, past clusters of passed out youngsters. All the while he mumbled about birth control. Wayne Caulfield caught him there, in the kitchen. He was a handsome, clean-cut black man, just an inch or two shorter than Rufus.

"You fucked one of the freshmen didn't you? I saw through the window." Rufus barely looked up from beneath his long black hair. "Rock star shit, homie."

"She's my little sister's roommate." Wayne scoffed.

"You're retarded." Wayne put a strong hand on Rufus' shoulder. "Really bro, you're retarded. Your little sister is going to kill you with her fucking mind powers –"

"Shut the fuck up," said Rufus. He had something terrible behind his eyes. "Shut the fuck up."

Wayne nodded, preparing to switch gears. "Yeah, you right," he replied. "I applied for an internship at Elite Tactical. I'm gonna make big money."

Rufus laughed. "You're going to help the government kill civilians with plascannons and wedding crashers?"

Wayne didn't even blink. "It's white collar shit."

Rufus blinked. "You are far out, man. With your button-ups and your slacks. Elite Tactical, huh?"

Wayne smiled. "Yes, my friend. Absolutely."

The two of them chuckled, alone in the kitchen aside from Timothy Rockland, Xander's younger brother, who was microwaving some sort of eastern-style dinner for breakfast in his boxers.

"You wanna know what I think?," Timothy queried. Wayne and Rufus nodded. "I think you're both retards." Rufus made his way over to the refrigerator absently.

"Look," he began as he rifled through the fridge, "We're all retards now. We kept calling this place Fort Retard, and guess what happened? We turned into retards. I'm pretty sure that polymath Ginasmelli said something about how if you hang out with idiots, or act like an idiot, eventually you find that you have turned into an idiot."

"What?" Timothy tilted his head to the side. His mop of brown hair was even messier than his brother's. His eyes were less blue, but vastly more penetrating. "Who's Ginasmelli, anyway?"

Caulfield answered. "Some retard."

Rufus giggled as he assembled a turkey sandwich.

"Who are you making that sandwich for?," Timothy asked Gage. Rufus paused entirely, freezing. "What?"

"Is everyone around here psychic?," Rufus wondered aloud. Timothy smiled at him. Rufus smiled back. The three of them chit-chatted for a while, Wayne talked about himself too much, Timothy didn't talk enough, and Rufus did his best to mediate between the extremes.

Soon Rufus headed back to the green room with the plated turkey sandwich. He knocked on the door. No one answered. "Hey, are you in there? Are you dressed?"

Nothing. He turned the knob and the door opened. There was no one in the room, but the window was open.

"Fuck."

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Chapter 8

Having missed her first class entirely, Maggie waited on her second on a bench which overlooked the quad. Birds, white and gray, flitted across the scene. Young people were hanging out in groups and studying books by themselves all over the green grass. Two very pretty female students, one blonde and one redhead, walked by Campbell, and looked at her. The blonde was dressed in trendy apparel, leggings and fluffy boots. The redhead was dressed in a faux flannel and jeans.

"Y-yes?" Maggie tapped her fingers on her thigh.

"Maggie, right?," the brunette asked her. Maggie had a lingering uneasiness seated in her stomach. She, confusedly, smiled at the two young women.

"Hah, is that a bit?" The redhead scratched her red head. Maggie's head swayed languidly from side to side.

"No, I don't remember you," said Maggie with an accidental callousness. "I mean, I was drunk last night."

"Oh," said the brunette. "In that case, I'm Bailey Anderson, and this here is Sasha Voorhees. We did shots together. We're all freshmen."

"That's why I don't remember you, I think," concluded Maggie. Sasha laughed dryly.

"Did you, um, you couldn't handle it?" Sasha kept laughing. Bailey jutted her elbow into Sasha's side. "Ow!"

"Sasha, that's mean," said a firm Bailey.

"Yeah, yeah . . . " Sasha trailed off. "Crazy party. I gave a handjob to that weird guy, Xander. He already got my phone number somehow and left me voicemails. I feel really weird about it. Like, super weird."

Maggie scowled. "You think that's bad, I let that guy Rufus . . . Wait a minute, Xander, really?"

"Oh my God," said Bailey. "Rufus is such a fucking loser. He works at a fucking pizza place."

"You poor thing," said Sasha.

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Chapter 9

Professor Knox gestured at the words 'serialized tokens' on the whiteboard. Maggie was half asleep resting her chin in her hand on her desk. Knox cleared his throat. He was a balding middle-aged man with a high-pitched voice.

"We all know how the economy here in Agartha works," began Knox. "Economic History is a course dedicated to understanding the how of our economy, not the why, in case we have any rebellious, leftist types in the class today." Out of the hundred students in the audience, a quarter of them found the joke funny. A tenth laughed. "We exchange our work hours at a token center for tokens serialized with our blood. Then we head over to the casino inside The Monolith, where we exchange tokens for linen currency." One student, a frizzy-haired young man, raised his hand. "Yes?"

"You mean we gamble the value of the tokens for linen currency, banknotes." Knox eyed him pointedly.

"What's your name?," he asked the student.

"Zane Kagan," replied the student.

"Mr. Kagan, if you have a disagreement with how I'm teaching my class, you can leave at any time." Zane blushed and ultimately shrugged. Maggie was mostly paying attention. Knox tapped his foot.

"I only meant to say –"

"That doesn't matter, boy. I could have you reported for heresy if you keep it up. This is your first and last warning." Zane begrudgingly sat back down.

After a cherished hesitation, Knox began again. "Where was I? Yes, we convert our work hours to banknotes at the casino via the token system. Does anyone know when exactly the token system was implemented? Yes, young lady?" Knox indicated Bailey Anderson.

"Two hundred and sixteen years ago," said Bailey confidently. Knox smiled with a little ripple in his brow.

"That's right, exactly the same year that the Agarthans first emerged from their fallout shelters. Our great civilization began at Monolith, and it's said that if it ever ends, it will end there. Now, just for fun, who knows the story of the so-called 'apocalypse'? Can anyone give me an etymological breakdown of the word? No?"

Zane meekly raised his hand. Maggie watched him. "Mr. Kagan, again? You don't intend to disrupt this class again, do you?" Zane shook his frizzy head.

"No sir. I believe the first part of the word refers to wisdom, and the second part, 'lypse', is the same as in 'eclipse', roughly: 'the revealing of'." Knox nodded.

"The revealing of knowledge," mused Professor Knox. "Very good, Zane. You should be putting that head of yours to better use, it would seem." Zane smiled awkwardly. "In any event, prophecies about the apocalypse abound. Let's hear some, class. You there, go ahead," said the Professor as he pointed to a portly, ashen-skinned young man with a black ponytail.

"The narrative of the apocalypse begins with the return of the eleven gods of Agarthan indigenous cultures. The climax consists of these eleven Gods destroying each other in a war. How any of this correlates to a revealing of knowledge, however, is beyond me." A handful of students laughed at the young man's summation. Knox, for his part, laughed pretty hard. And high-pitched.

"Indeed, indeed! Very observant, Hiroki."

Maggie scratched her head. Her eyes fluttered shut.

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Chapter 10

The cafeteria was buzzing with activity. The swirling smell of almost halfway decent food mingled in the air with the laughter of the young people. Maggie banged on a vending machine in the corner. "Hey," said somebody.

Light rain pelted on huge window panes. Valarie was standing in front of Maggie. "Oh, hi Valarie."

"I heard about what happened. Are you pressing charges?," Valarie asked with a note of concern.

“By Hel, no I am not. It wasn't like that." Maggie stopped fiddling with the vending machine's buttons. "He didn't do anything wrong." Valarie raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I always thought he was a creep. He's easy. Talks to every girl he sees, really, I have no idea what's wrong with him. Maybe it's the absentee parents, or . . . Sorry, am I boring you?" Maggie looked horrified.

"Uh, yes. Please stop now," pleaded Maggie. With a flippant gesture, Valarie Kaseman agreed to the terms.

"Look, the rain stopped. I hate rain," explained Valarie. "You wanna go outside? I can't find Yuki, I think she's hungover." Maggie weighed her options on her tongue.

"Sure," she conceded weightily. She followed Valarie, who had the same positively uncanny body as Yuki. Self-doubt and negative thinking seemed to set in whenever Maggie looked at her for too long; which is exactly what she was doing. "Dumb, fuckin', – "

"What?," asked Valarie. "I didn't hear you." The two of them sat down and almost immediately start poking the holes in the gridded metal table and otherwise lacing their nervous fingers with it. "I like these tables," noted Valarie with a yawn. "Are you hungry? I don't eat lunch, actually."

"Actually?” Maggie mused. "I'm really very hungry."

Without any ceremony, a young man came flying off the roof of the adjacent building. Maggie only spun around and saw him falling because of Valarie's screams.

Somehow, his fall was slowed. By the time he was a few feet from the ground he had hovered to a halt. Someone screamed: "RAJ?!"

With that, Raj Dubey plummeted the slim remaining distance, knocking his nose against the concrete; breaking it instantly. He stood up, blood gushing from his face, and took off running. People started standing up and looking at each other, but hardly anyone said anything. Maggie's heart thumped. Her mouth was dry. Her teeth? Clenched.

"That was really weird," said Valarie.

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Chapter 11

Rufus, Xander, Wayne and Corey sat on one of the expansive leather couches in Ralph Rockland's living room. The sunlight slipping in through the tall windows glinted off the abundant dust in the trashed house. The four of them were alternating pointlessly between the only four channels available on Agarthan TV:

NEWS

SPORTS

EDUCATION

ENTERTAINMENT.

"Look at this, Timothy," said Ralph to Tim from the kitchen entrance. "These four horsemen are watching TV. Instead of cleaning up this ridiculous fucking mess."

"Damn straight," said Timothy.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Oh fuck off, Dad. And especially you, Timmy." Ralph pounded his fist on the table. By the looks of it, Xander was experiencing laser-guided regret.

"What's that supposed to mean?," demanded Ralph. Rufus stood up and started picking up beer bottles.

"Look, Ralph, I'm doing it,” sighed Rufus. He looked at the television screen. A tall man with black hair and a small woman with red hair were enveloped in a cloud of sapphire smoke on the screen. "Wait, Medium & Miasma just came on. I don't think I can clean."

Ralph sneered. "And don't get me started on your rent," he muttered. Rufus looked at him acutely.

"I got a job, Ralph. I'm working it off, you know that."

"Not very fast,” Ralph quietly snipped. Gage was mesmerized by the television. A compilation of shots flashed on the screen. The redheaded woman exhibited telekinesis on a large scale, the black-haired man turned into a cloud of blue smoke, and a lot of stuff exploded.

"Shit's so cool. You know Miasma can shapeshift, and Medium can – " Wayne cut Rufus off.

"No one cares, we all know," said Wayne. Corey laughed. He placed his hand on his forehead.

"Dude, every time this show comes on, you start talking in circles. It's got to stop. Talk about something else. Aren't you fucked right now? With your sister? How are you still able to geek out on this TV show?"

Rufus was not even listening. For that matter, Xander and Wayne weren't either; not anymore. Corey ran his hand through his curly blond hair. He shrugged.

Ralph and Timothy retreated back to their respective caves, and for a while everything was peaceful. The four twenty-somethings watched Medium & Miasma together. In this episode, the time-traveling villain succeeded in kidnapping the goddess of beauty, Venuzia.

"You ever gonna use that marketing degree?," Wayne asked Corey. The blond-haired youth shook his head.

Someone knocked on the front door. Corey looked at his wholly absorbed companions, and got up to answer the door himself. When he opened it, Jack Edgar Miller was standing there in his long brown duster and his blue jeans. He had an angular face. His hair was dark and curly; medium-length. Corey's oddly childish face twisted up.

"Jack? What's wrong? Are the cops after you?"

"Worse, much worse." Jack walked past Corey, who followed closely behind him. Corey raised an eyebrow. Jack looked over the faces of the guys on the couch. "Turn on the news, right now. I mean right now."

Rufus piped up. "Jack? Long time no see man – "

"I fucking mean it. Change the channel." Jack had a terribly ominous look to him. Xander picked up the remote and changed the channel. All five of them stared into the screen.

"This is Alcazar Finch. The live footage I'm about to show you is highly alarming, please refrain from frightening your children with this content."

From the smarmy smile of Alcazar Finch, the screen switched to aerial footage of the most preposterous sting operation ever conducted in Agartha. Finch continued:

"Twenty-five HTU Heavy Tactical Units have been deployed to the town of West Air, marking the first occasion in fifty-six years when Elite Tactical has left the Water District. As you can see, they have the apartment complex completely surrounded. Troopers with plascannons have been sent to nearby rooftops."

"That's Raj's house,” said Rufus. His affect was completely flat. Corey and Wayne looked at Jack.

Jack crossed his arms. "Yup."

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Chapter 12

Sirens wailed in every direction. Maggie walked into her red-brick dormitory, one of a series of people quickly filing into their rooms. The intercom came on, again.

"TAKE SHELTER IN YOUR ASSIGNED ROOMS," was the looped message. It came on every minute.

Maggie proceeded to the door of her room, where she took a deep breath. She slowly opened it. Karen was sitting cross-legged on the floor in an almost antique-looking earthen-toned dress. She was holding a silvery token in her upright hand.

"Close the door," said Karen Clearwater.

Maggie gulped and did as Karen said. "How mad are you at me? I mean, I know you didn't want to see that."

"I'm not mad. I was upset, obviously. For a while. Now look at this, please, I implore you." Maggie dragged her feet closer to Karen. Campbell squatted beside Clearwater.

With a little furrowing over her brow, Karen lifted the token into the air with her mind. "Do you see?," Karen asked Maggie. In turn, her jaw dropped. "Raj could do it too, I think. I think that's what happened."

"How . . . Why . . . "

"Why do I trust you? I don't. But I need a witness who was there. And I'm pretty sure you were there," Karen intoned. "We have to get out of here. They'll find me."

Maggie nearly peed. She nodded vigorously.

"Let's go."

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Chapter 13

Nemo Davis was dirty from hiking, and his cuts were infected. His skin was reddening in the afternoon sun. Finally, he reached the top of the hill from which he could see the junkyard. With a rapidly deteriorating limp, he descended towards the junkyard.

Around the back edge of the property, there was a hole in the chain-link fence. Nemo ducked through it. He arrived at a sixty year old car with no tires. It was sunk into the ground. He pulled a key out of his pocket, and opened the trunk. A vertical shaft extended from beneath it. And a ladder. "Home sweet home," said Davis. He climbed onto the ladder and descended down the shaft.

He dropped down into a bomb shelter. The smell of decaying flesh was ever-present here, but skillfully minimized. Nemo's wild eyes darted around the scarce gray environment. He pulled out a bell and cocked it. "Who's in here?"

A remarkably feminine voice answered him. "I saw your bathtub, Nemo. Is that your sister?" For some unusual reason, Davis couldn't tell where the voice was coming from. "I have a . . . job opportunity. Governmental."

Nemo cackled, but his throat was scratchy, and it hurt. "Oh yeah? I have two bell handguns and I can tell where you are just by hearing your voice," he bluffed.

"No. You can't," replied the mysterious woman. "Do you want to live forever, killer-man?"

"Doesn't everyone? I think what I want is to hold this gun to your head and fuck you from behind. I can tell you're pretty," snarled Davis. He started to slowly waltz around the shelter. "Come out and play, little girl."

A fanged woman appeared before him. Her dress was black. She had bright blue eyes and, despite her youth, long silvery hair. "You answered my question, already." Her protruding teeth dug into Davis' neck.

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Chapter 14

Maggie's heart raced with excitement and fear as she followed Karen through the purple door at the end of the hall. They entered a spacious purple room with a large, L-shaped purple sectional couch in the middle. A modernist chandelier hung from the high ceiling. Rufus, Xander, Wayne and Corey were sitting on the couch. Jack was standing beside it. "Okay," said Corey. "Since there's no windows in here, I've been calling it the war room."

"Oh, thank God," said Gage. "Ralphie has a room just for this occasion." A hiss issued from Karen.

"We need to focus, this is serious," she stated.

"What happened at the school?" Jack asked Karen. Jack put his hands on his hips, brushing his duster behind him.

"Ask Maggie, she's the one who saw it." Everyone turned towards Maggie Campbell expectantly. She seemed to shrink in the spotlight. She took a deep breath, and rolled her shoulders back.

"Raj jumped off the commons. Four stories. He sort of hovered in midair, before he actually fell to the ground. So he survived uninjured. Well, almost." Xander leered.

He lolled his tongue. "What do you mean, almost?"

"I think he broke his nose," replied Maggie. She made a dismissive hand gesture. "Valarie saw it too."

"You expect us to believe this?," asked an incredulous Wayne. "Rufus told me you have powers, Karen, and I believe that for the space of zero seconds."

"No," said Karen calmly. "I expect you to believe this." She un-clenched her hand, revealing a silver-plated token. "These tokens weigh an ounce, Wayne. How far can you lift it with your mind? How high?"

Wayne laughed. The token slowly rose a few inches into the air above Karen's palm. Everyone's eyes widened; Jack even took a step back. Xander gasped.

"W-what, how are you, what the fuck?!," he exclaimed.

Wayne was very nearly frozen in place. Corey's pale green eyes bulged. Jack seemed to be trying to get a grip on himself. Rufus piped up.

"Look, we have a huge problem. They're going to come after Raj's friends. You've seen the movies, you know exactly what they're gonna end up doing to us." Wayne slowly, and with great difficulty, turned his head, and then his eyes, towards Rufus. And away from the token.

"We're going to vivisected in some laboratory," Wayne realized aloud. "By Hel, what am I gonna do? I'm supposed to be getting a job, with Elite Tactical. Now I'm gonna get hunted down, by Elite Tacti – "

Xander yelled over everyone. "WHAT THE FUCK?! I'm not friends with Raj! Why would they – what are you talking about, Rufus? What's going on? Why were they surrounding Raj's house? Karen are you some kind of – "

Karen cut in. "Freak? Is that what you were gonna call me?" The token slowly descended back into her palm. "We don't know what's going on, Xander."

Jack, with his bold nature and determination, stepped forward. "Guys, listen up. We can't just sit here and wait for whatever's coming. We need to reach out to the Resistance. They might have answers or resources we don't even know about. We can't face this on our own."

Wayne, true to form, scoffed at Jack's idea. "The Resistance? Are you serious, Jack? This isn't some action movie. We're dealing with real-life problems here, not some movie bullshit."

Karen, holding onto the silver token, chimed in, "Wayne, this isn't a joke. Look at what happened to Raj. There's something strange going on, and we need to be prepared."

Maggie spoke up, "Jack's right. We can't ignore the signs any longer. If there's even a chance that the Resistance can help us, we have to take it."

Rufus, nodding in agreement, added, "It's worth a shot. We need to gather information and protect ourselves. Who knows what they might know about this ET mess."

Xander, still in shock from Karen's telekinetic display, struggled to find words. "I... I guess it can't hurt to check it out. But let's be careful. We don't know who we can trust."

Corey, the voice of reason, chimed in, "Agreed. We need to approach this with caution. But if there's a chance it can keep us safe, we should explore it."

Wayne rose his voice above the din. "Are you guys fucking retarded? Seriously, you think some secret organization that may or may not exist is going to bail us out? They're going to keep us safe? How does that work?!," he exclaimed. Everyone was looking at him.

Corey stomped his white sneaker on the wooden floor. "LOOK, DAMMIT. I know someone. Someone who can help us." Rufus raised one of his pointed eyebrows.

"Who?," he asked Corey.

"David Griffith," was his reply. The room fell silent.

"Homie," intoned Wayne, "he's Public Enemy Number One. They want him worse than they want Nemo Davis. How the fuck do you know him?"

Corey smirked the slightest bit. "Basketball."

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