Xonnie 5

My body was tingling with excitement as we left. My father. Alive.

"My names Cloak by the way," Laura introduced herself to Vix and Ryder.

"I'm Vix." The fox waved. Cloak smiled. I looked at Ryder imagining if he'd ever be sweet like that to me but he was rolling his eyes. I elbowed his arm.

"What? That's gross." He whispered.

"It's cute!"

His lip lifted up.

"That's what you call cute?!" He said pointing behind him. I giggled and looked ahead. My mind traveled between my life before this all and now. Before this I didn't know many people. And now, as this heroine people know me. Love me. A warm feeling was rising in my chest. Love me. I looked over at Ryder. Would you love me? My train of thought was interrupted, once we entered the neighborhood. A sudden numbness spread over my body.

"We are almost there," I told the group.

"I think we should enter from the balcony on the third floor," Ryder suggested. I nodded in agreement.

"You two, take floors one and two. Me and Ryder will check 3 and 4."

"Graceful landing, Princess," Ryder teased. I rolled my eyes. This idiot.

"Not bad yourself, Puppy."

"This is where things usually go wrong, you three. So stick with me unless I say other wise."

We entered house quietly and searched. Vix and Cloak where looking at floors 1 and 2 while Ryder and I were searching 3 and 4. My heart was pounding as I searched ever room. Hoping to see my father.

"Dalian," Ryder grabbed me, his mouth was moving but I couldn't pay attention. My father was here. Somewhere. He must have noticed that he didn't have my attention because then he shook me hard and said; "Xonnie. You need to calm down. We will find him." He pulled me close and hugged me tight. His scent washed over me, calming my nerves. Stay with me, I wrapped my arms around him.

"You're right," I sighed. This feels useless.

"Don't give up." He cupped my face in his hands. I nodded. I checked every room slowly. Looking inside carefully.

"Do you see anything?" I asked looking in a closet.

"No, not really." He sighed. And picked up a chest lid. My necklace started to flash. We bolted down the stairs and slid into the garage. Nothing was there.

"We found him." Cloak came out from behind my mothers Honda. I stiffened. He's there. Behind the car. Alive.

I ran to the back of the cars and saw Vix next to him.

"Daddy.." I fell to my knees, "you're okay now, daddy." I took his hand, smiling, while tears steamed down my face.

"We are going to take you home."

My dad looked up at me. His eyes barely open.

"Xon," He coughed up some blood.

"That's right, daddy."

I heard someone take in a shuttered breathe. I looked up and it was Ryder. He stepped away. Someone said we should take him home. I couldn't hear too because the blood was rushing in my ears.

"We should get him home." I silently agreed. "Dalian get the left side of him, Vic take the right, Cloak I want you to use your power to make sure they get back okay." Ryder ordered everyone. We all nodded and got into position while Ryder opened the garage doors. Wait, what's Ryder doing?

"What about you," I asked while pulling my fathers arm around my neck.

"I will make sure nothing stands in your way," He smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I looked at Cloak and she dipped her head, taking my father from me. I walked up behind him and put my arms around his stomach. His scent filled my nose once again.

"Just be careful..please." I squeezed him. He didn't look at me. Just nodded. Releasing him I went back to my position.

"Now Cloak," I ordered. She stuck out her hands and touched my father. A dark shade covered our bodies.

Ryder ran out of the garage and headed straight for the base.

"He's not even being careful!" I grumbled.

"Ryder, Three on your left 100 kilometers away." Vix barked. Ryder nodded and dashed behind a wooded area.

"These trees make a nice pathway to the school court yard. Go straight and take a right in ten meters." Vix graphed. Following orders given, we made it back to the base.

"Wait," Vix stopped moving. Everyone froze.

"One on your left."

I looked over and it was there. Preying on a bus. I started to take my dad's arm off of my shoulder when Ryder said;

"Get inside, I'll handle this."

"Ryder no." I started to say but he had already gone.

"Idiot." I grumbled.

"Let's get him inside." I turned towards the window.

Cloak opened the entrance and Vix took my dad.

"You should go clean up. We can handle this." Vix said once we were inside.

"But Ryder," lifted my hand up at the window, "he might need help." Vix shook his head softly.

"If Ryder hasn't died from previous attacks, I doubt he will die on this one. He will be fine."

I nodded graciously. I left Vix to take care of my father and ran into Mrs. Stevens.

"Oh hunny, your suit." She put her hands on my shoulders and shook her head.

"What a mess, what a mess." She told her self.

"I will get it fixed." I laughed awkwardly, waving her hands off.

"Have you spoke to him yet?" She smiled. I stuttered.

"N-no. There's no time." My cheeks were getting warm.

"Well better think of a plan while you take a break." I sighed and gave her a weak thank you.

I was on my way to my bed room but I heard the window open and shut quickly. Ryder! My heart jumped as I turned and ran to him. Please be okay. I looked up and he was handing off a little boy. Somethings off. Ryder grabbed his chest and fell to the ground.

"Ryder," I squatted next to him.

"Princess," He looked at me. My cheeks got warm, so I punched his shoulder.

"No injuries?" I checked all over his body.

"No." He lifted his arms. No cuts. But a sudden smell took over my body. It smelt horrible. I pushed back away from him.

"What's wrong," He asked coming closer to me.

"You need a shower!" I laughed while holding my nose.

"Really?" And he landed on top of me, "You need one too now," His arms wrapped around me and held me tight against him.

"Eww, no get off," I laughed. His grip tightened then slowly released. He was just above my face. If I wanted to I could have lifted my head and kissed him. My eyes made way to his. Hazel. How perfect he is.

"Go show-" I began but was cut off by him.

"Why were you ignoring me? I mean I know why but I need to hear it from you."

I was shocked. Just say it! Come on girl! The man you want is inches away from you. This could be the moment.

"I like you. I just was freaked out cause that was so out of no where last week. Forgive me." I looked away quickly.

"You like me, huh?" He said after awhile. What a jerk! Teasing me about this. I puffed out my cheeks and looked back at him.

"Go shower, Puppy." I pushed him softly. He got up off me. Sitting up he out his hand down. I looked at it. Slowly sliding my hand in his he pulled me to him. His lips were next to mine once again. Ah, why do you torture me so. He squeezed my hands and leaned to my ear.

"I like you too, Princess." His voice was so soft it was almost as if it wasn't there.

"I-" I reached out to talk to him some more but he was already gone.

"Puppy," I put my hand over my heart and smiled.

"Now THAT was cute." I jumped and looked to my left to see Laura and Axel laying in their stomachs with their hands under their chins. They looked like children acting so innocent.

"Bleh." I stick my tongue out and jumped down.

"Shower time." I stretched, "better be quick so I can talk to Tobin."

I was in and out of the shower in 2 minutes. Throwing on clothes I ran to Tobins room. The water was still running.

"It'll be a surprise." I opened his door slowly and slipped inside. Closing it softly making sure I made no noise.

His room was decorated with photos. I observed them all. It was him and his father. They looked happy. Playing catch, learning to swim, reading, laughing. My heart warmed up.

"And if I were naked?"

My body tensed as I jumped around to face him. He was only wearing a towel and his hair was still wet. My eyes slowly glided down his body.

His abs fell down into a V. My entire body was burning.

"Like what you see, Princess?" He teased.

Instantly I threw my hands over my face to block my vision, "I'm so sorry!"

He was silent for a minute but the his finger was on my chin pulling me up from my shadows of shame.

"You're cute," his hand lingered there. Now. Do it now. But then he sighed and left to the bathroom. Once he was out of sight I released a heavy breath. That was close. I imagined his body again, and too hot. He reappeared and sat on his bed. His hand patted the seat next to him. My body moved it self beside him.

"Tell me about yourself." He said as he leaned back in the bed.

"Well.." I folded my hands. I told him about me. My age, My birthday, Who I was, once again. He just looked at me. Studying me. Once again.

"Tobin?" I looked down at him.

"Oh, my turn?" He asked as if he didn't already know.

"Okay well, I'm 18. My birthday is September 28th. I am a model and actor or was at least. My favorite color is also green and I have been Ryder for 11 months now."

11 months. I have beeen Dalian for barely 2 weeks and he's been doing the act for 11 months.

"11 MONTHS?!" I pushed his shoulder "why didn't I get picked sooner." I pouted. I heard him snort and then start laughing.

"It's not funny! I could have helped you!" I turned my body against him, "Then you wouldn't have had to fight all alone for so long." He immediately stopped laughing. I glanced back

"That's right.." He whispered, looking at his hands, "I'm not alone anymore." I turned back to him.

"Are you.." I watched as tears swelled in his eyes, "are you crying?"

He pushed my arm "No! Of course not." Tough boy act. I sighed. I scooted behind him and put my arms around his waist.

"It's okay. I'm here for you now, you don't need to act tough with me." His hands touched mine softly.

"Thank you," He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. Dummy. I layed my head down on his lap. It's me and him now. We are a team. I'd never leave him behind. Not ever again. He is so used to doing everything alone, I need him to know that I'm here for a reason.

"We are a team. No man left behind, right?" I asked. His hand petted my hair.

"That's right."

My body warmed up. A team. Me and him. Every monster. Every aching body part. Every drop of blood lost, it's all worth being his partner.

My eyes grew heavy and eventually they shut.

I heard his say something but it sounded faint. I felt his presence move. Warmth touched my forehead and my body tingled all over. They lifted off my head and I felt him start to leave.

"No," I reached out to him, "don't go." His body was close to mine once again.

Best night of sleep I have ever gotten.