When the flames burn brightest is when the darkest shadows are cast.
We create the enemies we so fear.
But as the flame dies
the darkness has no need for light.
The Pinnacle of Zoa
Storms
VALERY 1
She had come home to no one but a massive husky named Darwin. Her sister were all at a boarding school and her older brother and sister were elsewhere. The sounds of her footsteps and tears echoed through the grand halls of the house. The fact that she could hear each and every tear hit the floor did not help. But Darwin being the smart dog that he was would recognize the sound and soon be at her side.
She knew Darwin would soon run up to her and lick her cheeks as he always did as she ran her hands through his dark fur. She jumped into bed landing face first. She lay in the bed with Darwin at her feet waiting for the right moment to lick the salty tears off her sun kissed cheeks. She turned on the TV if you could even call it that anymore as it projected a 3D image of a new flesh dissolving bacteria found in the ocean. She heard a knock at the door and wondered if it was Sam, one of the only boys she knew that didn't want to get in her pants.
She had changed into her pitch black silk pajamas that matched her hair. She slid off her bed that matches her pajamas and walked to the door with Darwin at her side. She walked back through the halls crammed with million dollar paintings and hand painted pictures of her father holding her at different ages. The walls were also decorated with pictures of her father's best friends. She reached the thick oak door that towered above her and opened it to find just who she expected to see and two others.
"Hello Valery." said Sam as Val looked past his short blonde, well kept hair and blue eyes to see the two tall twins that stood behind him.
"Hi Sam, who are your friends?" Asked Val patting Darwin's head.
"This is Bertie and Jerome, they're the guys that made the winning touchdown last week at the football game" said Sam as Val looked at the identical twins with black hair and brown eyes with their varsity football jackets on.
"Come on in." said Val.
When they stepped passed the door Val said "I have to introduce you to Darwin he's my dog. He just needs to know your names and scent so he can find you if you get lost in the house".
"Wow this place really is big, it makes me wonder why you don't have tons of parties here" said Bertie as Valery quickly responded.
"Unless you wanted a quick death you wouldn't make a ton of noise when my brother is sleeping."
"Who's your brother?" Asked Jerome examining the house.
"You know that guy who recently became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world after knocking the previous champion out with one hit." said Val flashing her ever breathtaking smile "that's him."
Bertie and Jerome both looked dumbstruck and said "oh" in unison.
Val signaled them to follow her to her room.
"How old is he?"Asked Bertie.
"He is 19 and in case you are wondering I'm 16" said Val as Jerome muttered "so close" under his breath.
"So am I going to teach you girls nuclear physics or what?" said Val looking at her purple shoes that matched her eyes.
"wait you're the tutor, I was expecting someone older." said Bertie with an odd expression.
"Well expect the unexpected because I am smarter than the three of you combined" replied Val in a teasing voice.
They made it to her room and she turned the TV on to display what she would be teaching them. After hours of trying to teach Bertie and Jerome as they absent mindedly looked at her, she decided to give them a tour. Sam had taken twelve pages of notes during her 3 hour lecture.
"Come on guys I am going to show you around the house."said Val patting Darwin's head and walking to the door.
She was going to show them the weight room just to start, and to show them that her brother Atlas lived up to the name. They walked into the weight room that had every piece of workout equipment they could imagine but each specially designed for her brothers monstrous strength.
"This is the weight room." She said and spread her arms out as if to present the massive size of the room.
Sam and Jerome were left speechless but Bertie being the air head he was said "This is a little much for one guy don't you think, he can't be that strong".
Val smiled a little and turned to Bertie saying "want to try to lifting his weights. If you can you could get anything you want from the fridge"
Bertie replied with a grin "DEAL!".
She walked over to where her brother would bench press and said to Bertie "Try it".
Bertie laid down and got himself ready by taking a few deep breaths then gripped the bar. He exhaled and grunted. He was unable to move the weight and had no chance of moving it.
"How much does this damn thing weigh?" said Bertie as his brother chuckled.
"Five thousand pounds" said Val smiling.
"Let me try" said Jerome walking to the bench. But the result was the same as his brother.
"Can we get a snack?" Asked Sam pushing up his glasses.
Val responded "Sure thing sweet pea" as she led them to the kitchen.
They followed Val but it seemed to be Darwin leading the group to the kitchen. They reached the kitchen that had a large glass door lining the walls. The walls had massive amounts of food on shelves behind the glass door. The room itself was spotless and had an array of cooking utensils. There was a stove for every method of cooking along with a massive tree shape spice holder.
"Atlas cooked all of this before he left so anything that does not have a sticky note on it is first come first serve" said Val as Bertie and Jerome rushed to find food. Sam walked slowly to the mountains of food that lined the walls. Darwin's head brushed up against Valery’s shoulder.
"Yes you can have some too." said Val as Darwin made his way to the fridge.
They all had eaten whether it was beef hamburgers, chocolate cake, some sandwiches with potatoes or in Darwin's case roast lamb chops. Val had decided to eat later but for now she would entertain her guests.
"Want to see the pool or want to hit the city" said Val
The boys who looked at each other and said "Let's go".
"Whose car will we be taking?" Asked Val ruffling her ebony hair .
"We don't have a car" said Bertie.
"I got a bike if you all want to ride in a basket" said Sam as Val giggled.
"OK then we will take my car" said Val with a grin.
They walked to the garage, Val turned on the lights revealing rows of cars some from different centuries and some so old that the parts had to be hand crafted.
"We can take any one of these cars, you guys can decide" said Val.
"How about this one" said Sam pointing at a long white low riding car with six wheels.
The car had a classic 18 century look to it that her father admired. He had seen the car in a movie as a child and decided to have it custom made.
"OK we will take that one," said Val but then her alarm clock went off
"Crap sorry guys I forgot I have to go somewhere maybe I could pick you guys up tomorrow and we can all go to school together?"
"OK then see you tomorrow" said Sam.
"Later baby face" said Bertie.
"Later!" said Jerome with a wave.
"Darwin, will show you them the way out?" said Val.
She ran into the car and drove off as quickly as she could to meet Echo. She realized that she only had pajamas and went back home. She picked a tight black dress then headed off again.
"Crap I'm going to be late" She thought to herself heading off towards the outskirts of the city.
She parked her car near the road and walked to where she had first met Echo three months ago. She saw him in the exact same place where she had first met him.
"Hey" yelled Val and made Echo jump a bit.
"You came back again?" said Echo in a puzzled voice.
"Why wouldn't I. I've come back before" said Val winking at him.
"Most people forget me or they just don't know I'm here" said Echo in his thick husky voice.
Valery walked up to him with the sound of rocks crunching under her feet. The crunching was muffled by the sound of the rushing river behind Echo.
"I'm different" She said wrapping her arms around him.
"You are that's why you aren't scared of me" he replied.
"So what are you planning on showing me today" said Val with a wink.
"I am planning on showing you where I came from" said Echo.
Valery looked into his eyes that had no iris or pupils just full black with small spots that looked like tiny stars as he stared into her eyes that looked like shards of amethyst that formed her iris.
"Let's go then. What are you waiting for" said Valery.
"If that's what you want" replied Echo and began to walk her to the hidden cave system near by.
He held her hand as they stepped into the cave that had its walls lined with swords and armor. The tables were packed with maps, books, and more swords.
"How did you get all this?" Asked Val admiring a large mace on the wall .
"My creator gave it to me before he left" said Echo.
"Your what?" Responded Val with a puzzled look on her face.
"My creator he is the one who made me. He is the one that gave me live and a reason to exist" Echo said with pride.
"Wow you must really admire your dad" said Val taking a close look at a book nearby.
"He is not my father I am a piece of him. But I feel that I am not worthy to calling myself part of him" Echo said looking down.
"So he's your adoptive dad?" said Val.
"In a way yes" Echo responded.
Val looked around the room and noticed that one of the large swords on the wall had engravings that glowed blue.
"Mind if I pick it up" said Val pointing at sword.
"I doubt that you could but go ahead and try" said Echo with a smile.
Val gripped the sword that felt warm to the touch and lifted it with ease. Echo watched as she did this. His eyes grew wide and he took a small step back.
"How are you lifting that" said Echo dumbstruck by what he had just seen.
"Because it's not heavy?" She replied placing it back on the wall.
"I have something very important to do today can you come back tomorrow. So sorry I forget that I had to do that" said Echo looking at the door.
"Oh, ok," said Val walking to the door.
"Same time same place this Friday?" She added.
Echo gave her a hug she blushed and he said "If that's what you want".
She left and headed to her car. She dashed away leaving a cloud of dust behind as she headed home. She got home and was once again greeted by Darwin who instantly started to sniff her and gave a look of displeasure.
"I'm going to sleep, good night, Darwin" said Val patting Darwin's head as she walked to her room.
Her alarm clock began to sing at 6 and she got up showered brushed her teeth and ate. She choose a short skirt that reached halfway down her thigh. And a tank top the hugged her curves. She arrived at Sam's house and was texted the detections to the twins home. She found them near the place she had found Echo.
"This is a really nice car" said Sam patting the car.
"My dad's best friend Logan made it" said Val stepping on the gas.
They arrived at school and soon began to float to their classes. Valery quickly fell asleep in her class but was awakened by a substitute teacher.
"What do you want" Responded Valery rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Answer the questions young lady" said the old hag placing her hands on her fat hips.
Val glanced at the board and asked "Which one?".
The lady pointed at the board and Val looked on with a blank expression. She answered the question in a sarcastic tone.
"You're right but pay attention" said the hag.
A boy called out "You don't have to worry about her Miss Crane. She's a prodigy".
Miss Crane gave a look of displeasure and continued through class. The rest of her classes passed without problems with the exception of the usual insults that the popular girls gave her. She found Sam talking to a girl with blonde hair. They hugged and he walked away.
"Who was that" said Val with a joy.
"Just a friend" said Sam trying to act natural.
"If it's only a friend why are you blushing" said Val with a smile.
"Just because I want to" Sam responded attempting to not sound stupid.
"Let's just find your friends before you say something stupid again" said Val heading to where she had told them to meet up. She found them talking to a boy who had a black jacket.
She walked up and asked "Who's your friend".
The boy turned and she could see hair so black it could only match hers. She instantly recognized the night sky eyes.
"Hi my name is..." The boy stopped and stared at her.
She felt not butterfly but fireworks in her tummy. She jumped forward and hugged him. He spun her around and stopped slowly with his hands around her waist. She being shorter looked up at him with her arms around him.
"Do you go to school here" said Val still holding him close.
"Are you alright it seemed like you were falling. And to answer your question yes I do go here" said Echo with a slanted smile.
"How do you guys know him?" Asked Val.
"He ummm knows our dad" said Bertie facing his brother.
"Maybe we could all go to my house and hang out" said Val with glee. They all agreed and walked to her car. Soon they had arrived at her home.
"Echo because Darwin has not met you yet he will have to sniff you" said Valery opening the door.
She opened the door and saw Darwin about fifty feet away in an attack position. She could see just how tense Darwin was. Waves of heat were flowing off his body and his massive rows of razor teeth were showing.
"Darwin stop that leave them alone" said Val placing her hands on her hips.
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Darwin's caller would translate his thoughts through a microphone. Darwin barked and said "No boy is bad boy must leave he will hurt he is evil".
"No one here is bad but if you don't stop being mean you will sit in the corner" said Val.
"Boy with eyes black is bad" said Darwin sitting down.
"That's it go to the corner and think about what you have said" Yelled Valery walking to the living room.
"But sister..." Darwin said with sadness.
"No" Darwin was interrupted by Valery. They all followed Val to her room.
"Sorry about that he has never done that before" said Val with a hint of sadness.
"Your dog... It can talk?" said Bertie in a chopped up voice.
"No he has a caller that translates what he’s thinking" said Val still slightly saddened.
"Because it's spring break we can go anywhere on Earth" said Val hiding the odd feeling she felt.
Everyone but Echo looked wonderstruck. The boys began to talk about where to go and what to do.
"I don't think I can go" said Echo looking dead into Valery's eyes.
"No you are coming with me or I am not talking to you again" said Valery with a wink.
In Echo's mind this was unacceptable he would never want to be away from her, not even for a moment. Or at least that's what Valery hoped.
"I’ll go" He quickly responded in what looked like fear.
"So where are we going lady's" said Val.
They looked at one another and said "Prime".
"Prime" Asked Echo looking confused.
"Yes Prime the most beautiful place on earth" said Val with pride.
"I think the most beautiful place is where you stand" Replied Echo with a blank expression.
Or that's what she wished he would have said. But even the thought made Val blush. Then she came up with a plan. While they played games Val booked a house and called Matt to see if one of them could fly her over. She was able to get Lobo who was the colder of the two. He would be in her backyard in twenty minutes with a private jet.
"Hey time to go" said Val popping into the room.
"But we don't have our stuff" Replied Bertie and Jerome in unison.
"Don't worry about it. Where is Echo?" Asked Val looking around.
"He went to changed his shirt or something" Replied Sam staring at the TV.
Val went off to find him. She found a door ever so slightly open and looked inside. She could see Echo's god like upper body for the first time. She could see the black tattoo on his back and red tattoo on his chest.
When he turned she could see a blue tattoo on his left arm and a silver tattoo on his right. She bit her lip as he cleaned a black and white tattoo on his chest. She looked away feeling ashamed for looking at some in such an inappropriate manner.
" Hey Echo" She call out as if she were looking for him.
"I'm in here" he called out.
He stepped out with his black shirt and blue jeans.
They walked together to the jet. They all got on the jet and blasted off. Everyone had their faces up against the windows, well everyone except Echo and Val. They arrived at the airport stepping into sun, sand and luxury. They walked together to the mall.
"OK boys this is a mall you can buy clothes here" said Val presenting the store.The boys walk around as if they just had snuck their way into a bank at night. They didn't even touch the clothes.
"Everything is on me just don't look at the price tags" Yelled Val after minutes of the odd goings on.
They began to pick at the cloths as if deciding whether to eat something they just found. The store clerks began to help them after coming to the conclusion they were hopeless. Val saw that Echo still had no one to help him so she took it upon herself to do it.
She walked over sat him down and began pull clothes from the shelves. First she gave him a larger stack of clothes and pointed at a stall to change in.
"What do you want me to do" said Echo puzzled by her actions.
"Change your clothes of course" said Val with a smile.
Echo began to take off his shirt the lowered his pants. Val only watched for a moment blushing to what looked at the maximum human extent. Then reached for his hands pulling his pants up.
"Is something wrong" said Echo looking deep into her eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. He only looked at her until he tried to move but fell back after trying to step back. Her head hit his as they fell and his head hit the floor. She somehow pinned him down and they both cringed from the pain.
(Meanwhile on Mars) Uriel choked on his coffee, "My daddy scenes are tingling".
"For the last time nothing is wrong with your daughter's, you’re just imagining things again! And you don't have daddy scenes" Logan Yelled from the hologram.
(Back on Earth) She sat there for a moment until she realized what it looked like.
"Hey Val..." said Sam as he turned away pretending he had not seen anything.
Val stood up and so did Echo still slightly dazed by the impact.
"Put your clothes back on" Yelled Val placing his pants back on. She looked up and saw that he already had his shirt on.
"How about we go and pay" said Val walking away. Everyone had picked out their clothes and were now headed to the beach.
"You guys go ahead I am going to find a place to stay" said Val walking away. She knew the perfect place to go. She smiled to herself knowing it was a perfect plan.
"Hi I want to have two rooms" said Val looking around.
"How many nights and what kinds of rooms" replied the man.
"Two nights, a honeymoon suite, and a regular room" said Val placing down a credit card.
She got her card and walked to the beach. When she arrived she saw a small rugged house made of driftwood and no sign of Echo.
"Hello?" She yelled in the small house.
A large tunnel was hidden underneath. She looked over to the right of the house and saw a sad sand castle with the letters J, B on it. She walked down into the tunnel made of white sand.
"What are you guys doing and how did you make this" Asked Val looking around.
"Well I don’t like being in the light so I made this hole for myself and they joined me down here" said Echo petting a sand crab.
"Do you want to go into the water with me?" Asked Valery with a beat red face.
"Yes where is it?" Asked Echo placing down the crab.
"Just follow me" said Valery with a smile.
"Here" said Valery pointing at the ocean. She ran at the water and dived in. Echo walked slowly and looked at the water.
"I can't swim" said Echo kicking the small waves. Val walked over to him and held his hand.
"I will show you how," said Val.
"And where did the boys go any way?"
"They left with some girls after spending some time in my home" said Echo walking into the water.
"Are you going to take off your shirt?" Asked Valery with a smile.
"Is something wrong with it?" Asked Echo looking at his shirt. But befor Val could answer a wave hit them.
"That’s why it is going to get wet" said Valery with a grin.
"That is no problem" Replied Echo.
"Well maybe take it off to swim better or something" said Val. Echo looked at his shirt and tried pulling it off but got it stuck over his head.
"I can not move my arms" said Echo in a monotone voice.
"Do you need help" Val asked with a giggle.
Val got started helping before he could reply. It reminded her of when she would help her sister put on sweaters. She left his shirt near the driftwood house and Valery was ready to teach.
"I am going to teach you to swim" Valery repeated.
"You can't." Answered Echo.
"I sink". said Echo.
" That's why I am going to teach you" said Valery.
"You don't understand I am far too heavy" Replied Echo.
Valery wondered if he was like Atlas, unable to swim due to the density of his body.
"So you really can't swim can you" said Val.
"I really can not" Answered Echo.
"Do you want to go find the boys" Asked Val.
Echo nodded and followed Val. They walked along the beach until they reached a party. She was the boys partying with some girls. Well for the most part Sam seemed to have landed a date.
"Hey guys" Yelled Val out to them.
"Hey Val get over here let me introduce you to everyone" said Jerome.
"This Patty, Kily, Jim, Petter, Samantha, Rick and Tim" said Jerome gesturing to the small group out of the mass that he did know.
"Hi I'm Valery and this is Echo" said Valery.
Three of the girls nearly spit out their drinks and all asked "Is he your boyfriend". Valery turned bright red and opened her mouth but could not speak.
Echo replied "As of yet we have never been together".
"So are you interested" said a girl placing her arms around Echo.
"Sorry I am with someone" Replied Echo.
"How about for tonight you pretend that I'm your girl" said the dirty blonde.
"That would make me confused because I would see two of her here" said Echo.
"Get off of him Patty he's not interested in you," said the curvy black haired girl. "He need more than you can give".
Val stood nearby as a statue of rage. Some more began people walked over and Bertie introduce them.
"Hey guys these are my friends Valery and Echo".
"What do you think you are doing" said a boy pushing Echo.
"Standing" Replied Echo. The boy swung at Echo. Echo caught the boy's fist.
Then lifted him off the ground and said "If you want to fight learn what you are fighting with first". Echo then tossed the boy away.
"I will be leaving now" said Echo.
"You better run" said the boy throwing a glass bottle.
Echos hand shot back catching the bottle. He crushed the bottle and began to walk back. He walked over and slammed the boy with his inner arm then before he could hit the ground was lifted by his foot. Echo did not stop there as the boy rose from the impact of his foot he slammed his fists into his back. Then as the boy lay nearly unconscious he pulled him up by his hair.
"If you ever tell me what to do again I will kill you" said Echo in a stone dead voice then walked away. Val followed him feeling what happened was her fault.
"Hey are you OK" Asked Valery placing her hand on his shoulder.
"I want to be with you tonight" said Echo placing his hand on hers.
Valery could not believe her luck the one boy she had ever felt affection towards was attracted to her. She did not respond but simply hugged him.
"We have a lot of time what do you want to do" said Valery.
"Retrieve my shirt" Answered Echo walking way.
Valery could see a small sand crab scuttling behind him. Valery began to notice he would keep looking off to the side every so often. She could see what looked like a black pigeon. She knew it could not be a crow because they had gone extinct years ago. She watched Echo walk to his little driftwood home and pick up his shirt and she could have sworn his tattoos shimmered and moved. Echo and Val walked together towards the hotel.
Valery wondered if Echo really liked her or if just had interest in other things.
Valery said "Do you want to go to the amusement park".
"So long as we do not go to any Mirror Mazes" said Echo.
Echo followed Val as she ran to the park and purchased wristbands. She looked around and found a haunted house on a large map.
"We should go here" said Val pointing at the map.
Echo smiled and nodded. He began to follow Val. They walked together but people looked at her in a odd way. She felt uncomfortable and thought maybe they were looking at Echo. She got in line after passing through the crowds that smelled of cotton candy. The smell of the sea still filled the air and was mixed with the scent of popcorn.
When she and Echo walked to the front of the line the woman asked "How many".
"Two" Replied Valery stepping a little closer to Echo.
The woman seemed confused and smiled a crooked smile.
When the car pulled up the woman asked "Where is the other?".
Val said "Him" and pointed at Echo.
"Oh sorry I didn't see you" said the woman looking up and down Echo as he sat down.
They went through the ride as realistic animatronics would pop out and scream. Valery marveled at how realistic the robots looked as they ran across the tracks of the ride.
"Close your eyes" said Echo looking into her eyes.
Valery closed her eyes and wondered if he was going to kiss her. She heard a snap that sounded like braking bone and the splatter of blood. She waited and soon became inpatient. She felt a hand touch her face and lips kiss her forehead. She felt electric and if there had been enough light to see her face it would have been bright red.
Echo now sat silently beside her and looking into what he most likely saw as darkness. But she could see crystal clear in the dark something she found useful at times. She would have found this ride fun of it were not for the fact she had never been frightened before. She simply wanted to be alone with Echo. She could see Echos expression but it never changed he never blinked.
When they reached the end of the ride Echo stood up and gave her his hand. They continued to hop on and off rides until the sun fell. Valery pulled out her cell phone and Called the twins.
"Hey where are you guys it's later and don't leave Sam" said Valery.
"Yeah OK we are on our way but ummm Sam's got a girl with him so I think he is spending the night with her" Replied Jerome.
"Oh umm well then just you guys" Replied Valery as she glanced at Echo.
They all with the exception of Sam were now in their rooms. Valery was looking through all her clothing thinking about what she should wear. She found a black silk nightgown she hoped would impress Echo.
She got out of her room and found Echo sleeping on the floor. She stamped around quietly and wondered how he could sleep so quickly. She looked at his ever stoic face and wondered what his tattoos looked like up close. She tiptoed over and pulled the thin blanket that covered him as he lay on the floor. She marveled at the intricate shapes that covered his body. She lay in her bed disappointed that she was unable to do anything with him. She drifted into sleep wondering about what she would do when she got back to school. She heard the door open and wondered if Echo was going out.
Echo was standing at the door and watched as the man at the door pulled out a gun. Echo smashed his elbow into the man's head splattering the door in crimson. The sound of breaking bone and brain matter hitting the door filled the still night air. Echo proceed to rammed his hand through the throat of the second man. Echo gripped his spine and tossed him across the room. His body crumpled as it hit the wall. Echos arms were covered with crimson and shards of bone. Echo forced his hand through the last man's chest and ripped out his heart. Echo notice one of the men had a necklace. Echo pulled the necklace off and placed it in his pocket.
"What the hell just happened!!" Screamed Valery pulling out a gun.
"These men brought us trinkets but they slipped and got hurt" Replied Echo.
Valery looked at the bloody mangled bodies that lay on the floor and could not believe his stupid answer.
"How stupid do you think someone would have to be to believe that!" Screamed Valery pulling down the gun.
"I have proof I have a trinket" said Echo pulling out the necklace.
"Pass me the phone I have to call my dad" said Valery as she sat down and pushed the hair out of her face.
"Hello this is Atlas speaking to who do I owe this pleasure" said Atlas on the phone.
"Wait why did the phone not call dad?" said Valery.
"Oh hello Valery all calls to our father have been rederrederect to me. Is someone wrong" said Atlas.
"Well ummm how should I say some people tried breaking into my hotel and were going to kidnap me but my friend Echo killed them...." Whispered Valery as the phone when dead.
Valery waited for Atlas to call back and hoped he was not angry.
"Hello" said Atlas.
"You crushed the phone didn't you" Replied Valery. She could feel his godly rage as he spoke.
"That is not important. How many people are dead exactly" said Atlas rubbing his temples.
Valery looked over at the mangled corpse and said in a whispered voice
"Three".
She could hear the sound of his weights being tossed around and mangled in the background.
"What should we do" Asked Valery as Echo sat beside her.
"I already have a clean up crew on the way so just stay out of their way and pretend the noise was something else" Replied Atlas.
Valery looked at Echo who somehow managed to get clean.
"For now we just have to wait until the cleaning crew arrives" said Valery. Echo stood up and walked out the door.
"Echo where are you going" Yelled Valery. He jumped off the third story of the building and landed besides a woman.
Valery instantly sprinted down the stairs and ran to the woman.
"Lucy Lucy" Screamed Valery picking up the lifeless corpse of Lucy.
"No no no you can't be dead you can" said Valery looking at the bullet wound in her chest.
"She has been dead for three minutes" Replied Echo.
Valery began to cry and Echo seemed frightened now.
"I can fit this please don't cry. But I need something thing living to trade" said Echo.
Valery sat tears running down her face and responded with only more tears. Echo pulled a black knife from his pocket and rammed it into the silver tattoo on his right arm. Echo placed his right hand on Lucy's chest and Valery moved back ever so slightly.
His blood matched his eyes and Valery shot up as Lucy's body began to move once more. His blood ran to to her wounds and pulled them shut. She sat up gasping for breath as Echo help her.
Valery was speechless and stupefied by this impossible event. The tattoo on his right arm had burned into his arm and lost its silver shine. She instantly hugged Lucy and would not let go.
Echo could feel nothing, a part of him had just died. He had a emptiness burn itself into his very core. And something was attempting to fill it, something beyond age. Something hell itself would not be able to contain within its darkest depths.
This thing had waited billions of years for just one moment to be able to take him. It's eons old grasp wrapped him in darkness crushing what remained of his existence.
"Thank you" Cried Valery holding Echo.
Echo could feel her warm embrace fill him with a feeling no words could ever hope to describe. Her smile was like the sun burning away the darkness her embrace like a blanket covering a fearful child. Whatever she had done to him could not fully be explained.
"Hey are you guys okay" Yelled Jerome looking over the balcony.
"Yeah we are OK we are okay" said Valery still holding Lucy.
The clean up crew had arrived and picked up the bodies. They sterilized the area removing all evidence of any events that had happened including erasing all the cameras.
"Hey Lucy it's been a pretty a crazy night how about you stay with me and Echo for tonight" said Valery.
"Holy Hell I didn't even see him" said Lucy now looking wonderstruck.
"He saved your life I have no idea what he did but we will talk about that later" said Valery pointing at Echo.
Whatever Echo had done was beyond anything she had seen before. Her mind was still rattled by what she had seen him do.
Valery thoughts were interrupted by Lucy asking Echo "Do you have a girlfriend".
"What the hell is wrong with you. You were almost dead five minutes ago and now you are picking up a date" Yelled Valery sitting on her bed.
"Well I almost died so live while you are living right" Replied Lucy.
"Can we talk in private for a moment Lucy" said Valery with a wicked glear.
"Yesss" said Lucy as Valery pushed her into the bathroom.
"What is up is he your boyfriend or something" said Lucy picking up and looking at the pile of clothes Valery bought for her.
"Well no but I had dibs on him" said Valery kicking at some clothes.
"Well how about this who ever can kiss him first gets to keep him" said Lucy fitting herself in a sleek black T-shirt that barely passed her under garments.
"What do you think" said Lucy with a spin.
"Yeah looks nice but he is not an object you can't just keep him" said Valery with pride.
"Then why did you call dibs" Replied Lucy.
"OK fine whoever kisses him first keeps him" Replied Valery.
Lucy's light blond hair swung back and forth as she hopped. "Lips or cheek" said Lucy winking her electric blue eyes.
"Lips" said Valery but at that moment Lucy ran out the door and up to Echo.
"So do have a girlfriend" said Luck pulling at her shirt.
"No?" said Echo after a moment of thinking.
"Good" said Lucy right before grabbing Echo and kissed him.
What the hell is going on? I don't know I think it's a way to say thank you.. What should we do. Just go with it.. What is going on are we under attack... No I think she is saying hello or thank you.. Maybe it's a thank you after all you did bring her back from death.... What do you think? I only know how to kill things don't ask me what is happening... She is reaching under our armor what do I do? Counter attack do anything you can aim for the throat... Got it. She dubble countered by placing our hands near her back. Try pushing her down it may slow her down… Got it. Still not working I give up.
(meanwhile in Valery's head) I don't care if she just died I will kill her again. How dare she that is not fair she is probably just forcing him to do that there is no way he likes that.
"Echo" Screamed Valery emanating anger.
"Can I talk to you for a moment" said Valery clenching her fist.
"Yes of course" Replied Echo helping himself off of Lucy.
Valery pulled Echo into the kitchen and started.
"Why did you let her k-kiss you" said Valery with her arms crossed. Lucy now sat legs crossed on the bed.
"She was saying thank you for saving her life" Replied Echo.
"No it's a way to say I like you" Yelled Valery.
"What if I love you" asked Echo.
Valery was left with only rage and ecstasy. "Did he really love me? No it could not be he had just kissed Lucy" she thought to herself .
"W-what do you mean by that?" Asked Valery.
"What would you do if you loved someone" Asked Echo.
Valery thought for a moment and said "you hold their hands and kiss them".
Valery grabbed Echo hands and leaned in kissing nothing up the air. Lucy had run in at that moment and pulled Echo to the side.
"Hey Echo you look hungry would you like a sandwich" said Lucy.
"Yes please and thank you" Replied Echo in a what seemed to be seductive tone.
Valery wondered why the only person she found attractive was such a womanizer. Lucy got to making the sandwiches and Valery noticed the clock. It was 4:00 am and she had barely slept.
"Am I understanding this right if you want to say hello to someone you kiss them or is it a way to thank them" asked Echo.
"You don't kiss people and don't let Lucy kiss you" said Valery.
Echo nodded and said "Why did you handle the situation so well. And by that I mean when I killed those men".
Valery knew the true reason but had no way to explain it.
"It's a long story" said Valery as her mind went wild.
Echo seemed to hold something in but said "Go ahead I have more time than the ageless".