• Chapter Two:
    This sent Kim into inner panic. What!! “What we came for?” What is that supposed to mean? No way! They cannot possibly be in the same league as the men from last night! Why? Why would they have come here for me??Kim was brought out of her panic by Elliot’s voice. He was looking at her with a concerned expression.
    “S-s-sorry.” Kim looked down at the ground.
    “No problem. Now, if you don’t mind, would you come with us?” Liz motioned to the others as she spoke.
    Hesitantly, Kim walked alongside the group, between Luke and Liz. They stuck to the shadows of the town; for whatever reason, they all looked worried but relieved all at once. Soon, they came upon an alley that was completely covered. Elliot ran towards the end of the alley, followed by everyone else. He opened a door.
    “Après vous!” Elliot beamed at Kim.
    Lee walked up to the door but Elliot stopped him.
    “I was talking to Kim!!! Not you!” Elliot was now blocking the doorway with his whole body.
    “You’re not some French freak!! You know that! Why don’t you---” Lee stepped forward about to push him out of the way. Luke intervened.
    “Hey! You two shouldn’t be fighting! This is not the time or the place. We cannot draw attention to ourselves!” Luke stepped forward, stopping the imminent quarrel.
    “What do you mean?” Kim looked at Luke inquisitively.
    “Oh. It’s nothing!” Luke resumed smiling and ushered her inside.
    The moment she walked inside, Kim could feel eyes on her from all around the room. Her eyes immediately adjusted to the dim light, enough so as to spot at least ten other people. They were sprawled about the large area, in torn-up chairs or on the floor.
    “Hello! Sorry we got here so late!” Luke said, startling Kim.
    A chorus of “Hello!” and “Hey!” burst throughout the room. Elliot ran over to a group of girls who were hiding in a corner and instantly started a giggly conversation.
    “Ummm……so, Kim. This is our headquarters, I guess,” Liz offered.
    “You make it sound like we’re a top secret society or something!!” Elliot suddenly appeared next to Kim, making her jump.
    Luke proceeded to lead Kim through a hallway and into a small dusty room. It was dimly lit, just like the rest of the building, with a bedroom-like appearance. She took a look around, sneezing as she went.
    “So, if you want, you can stay here. You don’t have to stay forever, even just a bit if you need. However long it is you’ll stay, this will be your room.”
    This is crazy! I cannot possibly stay here. It is one single place. If I stay in one place for too long, those people will surely find me!
    I am being a worry-wart. These people are offering me a place to stay. Besides, everyone here gives off an odd vibe. There is something supernatural about them. With the exception of that kid Lee I think I will be safe here.
    “Ok. I’ll stay. Thank you very much,” Kim finally spoke up, turning around to look at Luke.
    “Awesome! Welcome aboard!!” Luke grabbed her hand and nearly tore it off, shaking it so hard.
    Luke left the room, leaving Kim to herself. She collapsed onto the bed, a cloud of dust billowing off as she did. She curled up into a ball and turned her back to the door. She was calm, content, happy; contradictory as she thought, she was simultaneously tense and scared. It was new to her to be surrounded by caring people, or at least have them in the same building.
    This is so odd. All of these people. How can they just accept someone like me?
    Oh, stop worrying. They are not exactly human either. That kid Lee has cat ears, just like I do. Maybe they are like me.
    That is impossible.
    Kim was awakened from her nap, one she hadn’t noticed, by an exotic aroma. She got out of the, her, bed and walked toward the source. A girl with short blonde hair ran up to her. She was smiling brightly, just like Luke had when they met.
    “Well hey! I’m Annie. But you can just call me Ann or Anna or PJ!”
    “PJ?” Kim said, confused at the odd third choice.
    “Yep yep! Peach Juice!! Golly, I love myself some peach juice!!” Annie nearly squealed.
    “Okay. Can I just call you Annie?”
    “NO!!!!!!!!!!” Annie’s voice completely changed, her face turning red and shadowy.
    Kim cringed when she did this. She heard footsteps behind her and, for the first time since arriving, she expected to see someone behind her. A dark-skinned girl with shiny black hair was staring at Annie, who immediately calmed down.
    “Na Annie, de’s na need ta scare da gal. Sarry bout dat. Annie’s a bit bapolar,” the girl extended her hand to Kim. “Ma name’s Zniema.”
    Kim, being quite accustomed to it at this point, shook Zniema’s hand. Zniema smiled sweetly and apologized again for how Annie snapped at her. Luke’s head popped through the doorway, smiling as usual.
    “Hey Kim! Oh, Zniema, I see you met Kim. Good good! Well, it’s dinnertime. Come on!”