Teylon: Takes his turn to save someone

How the bloody hell was Sarsaparilla able to save Kaydence like that? – Ah, right.

Right. That's an unexpected development, I must say.

Teylon, after watching Kaydence being comforted by Sarsaparilla and Leroy for a while, decided he would be proactive.

"Amen. Perhaps the rest of you could gather around Shane and we can discuss our actions, going forward from this?" said Teylon.

Francesca remained where she was. As did Shane, of course, but he had no choice in the matter. The others moved as directed. Adalace, deciding that there was no longer any urgent need to be threatening, had cooled down the steel rod she had been holding, and put it on the ground. But within easy reach.

The other so-called clone was still standing in the same spot she had been ever since Shane had been challenged. She still looked perfectly blank, and had not reacted in any noticeable way to Kaydence's memory break through. So Teylon, who was still standing apart, went over to her.

"Young lady," said Teylon, "Could you also come over here?"

"Sorry, I am a clone, num..."

"Yes, yes, we know."

She nevertheless joined them, exactly has she had been requested.

"Now, Shane, I suppose you are willing to concede that Kaydence is not a clone?"

"Yes. Yes. Don't worry, I won't be harming her. She must be a real person. But, but, all of the others, they obviously must have been clones, they said so!"

The stupid twit is in denial, isn't he?

Teylon managed, without much effort, to not show his feelings on his face. Francesca was also an expert at this. But everyone else gathered around Shane were clearly showing what they were thinking.

I had better keep charge of this conversation before anyone blows up.

"But Shane, you were totally convinced that Kaydence was a clone, until Sarsaparilla blew you completely out of the water, right? So, if they are willing to fake one clone, then the easiest assumption to make is that all of the clones are fake."

"But, but, that means that all the clones I, I trained with, that means they were all human! But, I didn't mean to kill actual girls! Why would they do that? The people at the training centre are all nice people! They took time off from their busy schedules to show me around the facilities - I've even had a tour of the almost finished star ship, sitting on the ground in its construction dome! Why would they want to do all of this?"

Indeed, why. If we assume that the star ship business is for real, then, then, hmm, what sort of people sign up for a one way trip to die alone, eleven light-years away from Earth - I mean Mars?

Actually, for the time being, let's first concentrate on saving the second girl.

If it really was Esmeralda helping Sarsaparilla save the first girl -

Teylon’s Direct Message from Esmeralda

Yes

Teylon:

Thought so. So do I help the second girl -

Teylon’s Soul Reading of: The second girl

Seven-year-old Juniper was sitting between her parents. Her mother lifted a small kitten onto her lap.

"Now, careful, he has claws. Pat him gently!"

"Ooh, he's so cute!" And so fluffy! Can I name him fluffy?"

Teylon:

Teylon was now standing right next to the girl. And, by chance, Devina was standing on her opposite side.

Sigh. Devina is still protecting any innocent creature from me. I wonder what her dark past is?

"Young lady, you are not a clone. You are human just like the rest of us. You had a mum and a dad, and at age seven, they sat down on either side of you and gave you a little kitten for your birthday. You named him fluffy."

The girl started to refute him, but then stopped in confusion.

"Fluffy?" she finally said.

"That's right. Your cat was called Fluffy. And your name is Juniper."

She looked at him, then at Devina.

"That's right. I remember. I am Juniper. My cat was Fluffy."

She was not agitated or disturbed. She did not look as if she was going to cry or become hysterical. She merely looked slightly surprised.

Teylon’s Soul Reading of: Juniper

It was first thing in the morning. The dome sprinklers had been turned on overnight, and the little creeks were running, draining the accumulated water back into the central lake. Sunrise Dome was much smaller than Verdant City, and it did not have Verdant’s rain clouds (well, actually, more like banks of fog), so all the rain was the product of plumbing.

Little Juniper threw off her shoes, and ran into one of the small creeks. The water, cold and crisp, flowed past her ankles, chilling her feet.

"Look, mummy, the streams are flowing!"

Teylon:

"Do you remember running out of the housing complex, and splashing through some water? The feel of coldness, freezing your feet?"

Juniper blinked a few times, put her head to one side.

"I, yes, I do. Where are these memories coming from?"

"From your past, of course. The seventeen or so years of your life so far."

She looked at her feet, now encased in utilitarian shoes and covered in fine dust.

"The water was really cold. And mum scolded me for going out before breakfast."

She frowned slightly, then said, in a voice that was mildly hesitant.

"But, does this mean I'm not a clone?"

She's certainly taking all of this calmly, unlike Kaydence. The memory wiping or brainwashing or whatever must have affected her differently.

"That's right. You're a human girl. You can't recall most of your past right now, but hopefully it will come back."

Juniper calmly considered this information. She then turned towards Shane.

"Shane, since it appears I am not a clone but a human girl, I do not want to be killed by you as part of your training programme."

Shane looked like he was collapsing in on himself. His face, normally pale because of his very light skin colour, was almost white. He tried to move back from her, but was abruptly restrained by the make shift manacles around his feet.

"Yeah, sure, in that case I won't hurt you. I promise."

He looked around frantically, at all the faces staring at him. The only one that was even remotely friendly was Teylon's.

"Teylon, can you please release me? I promise not to hurt any more - ah - clones. I need to ask those scientists what is going on..."

He's sounding as if he might be breaking down at any moment. So, he's not psychopath after all. Boy oh boy, does he have some problems then.

"Ah, sure."

Teylon looked at Adalace.

She looks like she can't bear the thought of getting up close to him again. I suppose Francesca could burn off the manacles, but that could burn his skin. Probably Francesca wouldn't care, but I think...

"Adalace, please, could you just manage to cut the manacles. It'll only take a moment."

Adalace reluctantly agreed. She got just close enough for her ability to do the job. A few minutes later, Shane, nervously looking behind him, staggered out of the door, and disappeared down the corridor.

Devina: Is determined to take care of Juniper also

Like everyone else, Devina had been surprised at how easily Sarsaparilla had managed to de-program Kaydence. And then Teylon had done the same for Juniper.

My life is no longer worth anything, I'm beyond saving. But, Teylon has, somehow, managed to return Juniper's memories and save her from Shane. So she can be saved.

But Juniper only had some of her memories.

Devina managed to smile at Juniper.

"Hello, my name is Devina. Can you now fully remember who you are?"

"Sorry, I can't seem to remember much, only those memories that Teylon reminds me off."

"Well, try this - do you remember when a few years ago, you and your parents were in a surface vehicle explosive decompression incident?" said Teylon.

For the first time Juniper showed emotion. A sudden gasp and a look of horror.

"That's right. I happened to be still wearing my space suit since we had just been outside. But my parents - "

Some tears rolled down her face. Devina put her hands on her arm.

"It's all right." she said.

Then she stopped.

What do I do now? I no longer know how to comfort someone.

She looked at Teylon, as if asking for help, although she would have never explicitly come out and said anything.

And why does Teylon keep getting that blank look on his face?

"Devina, put her arms around her - that's right. Juniper, you were at the funeral for your parents, remember? And then some uncaring men took you away and put you in a dorm with a lot of other girls who were total strangers and no one cared about your grief..." said Teylon.

"I, yes, I remember that. I, I feel, what do I feel?"

Teylon looked momentarily blank again, and then he looked sad. "Grief and sadness. Loneliness from the lack of your family and friends. Being frightened because you didn't understand what was happening to you in your new life."

Devina held her as she cried.

And what on Mars do I feel? I don't know. The pain I got has blotted out everything gentle and tender in me. I no longer know how to feel my own emotions. This poor girl, left alone and forced into some horrible programme and turned into a clone. I can't help myself, so how can I help her?

Without consciously realising it, she had tightened her hold on Juniper, cradling her body as she sobbed.

I can't cry myself, I no longer know how to.

But Juniper can still cry. At least when Teylon reminds her of her memories.

I will protect this girl.

It's the only thing I have left to do.

Francesca: Bemused

I wonder what is going on?

Sarsaparilla brings Kaydence back to reality, and then Teylon does the same with Juniper.

Surely if some evil bastards had programmed those girls to think themselves as clones, and to believe it so strongly that they would calmly allow themselves to be killed, surely it shouldn't be that easy to reverse the effects of the conditioning?

And now Teylon's managed to get Devina, of all people, comforting a crying girl.

Devina looks spaced out, but she's still comforting Juniper.

Just what is Teylon?

She waited until Juniper, and also Kaydence, both settled down.

"Say, Teylon, exactly how did you do all of that?"

"Yeah," said Maggie, "How did both of you do all of that?"

"Well, ah, we cheated. We had the help of our friendly Angel of Death." said Teylon.

"Wait, what? Sarsaparilla too?" said Erasyl.

He looked shocked and surprised, as did Maggie, Erasyl, and Adalace.

That angel of death business again. I still don't believe it, but I suppose this adds a little more proof...

"That is right, isn't it?" said Teylon, speaking to Sarsaparilla.

"Yeah, that's right. But let's not worry about that now, we need to get these two girls to your place, ah, wait a minute, they can't stay with just you, that is right out of the question." said Sarsaparilla.

"Well..." said Teylon.

"Me and Adalace will also stay over. You have three spare bedrooms, so the girls can stay in one, and us two will have the other two rooms."

"I suppose so..." said Teylon, giving all the appearance of scrambling to keep up with the situation.

"Then in that case I want to stay over also. I want to make sure Juniper gets the best of care." said Devina.

Does she really? My, this is getting interesting, not to mention complicated. And, why did Sarsaparilla explicitly put herself and Adalace into separate bedrooms...

An evil grin on her face, Francesca added her bit.

"Then in that case, why not Sarsaparilla and Adalace share one bedroom, the two new girls share another, and Devina can have the third. In fact, why doesn't Tamara also stay over, hmm?"

Both Sarsaparilla and Adalace fidgeted and looked uncomfortable.

But Tamara nodded her head. "I have no objection to looking after the girls, either." she said.

Teylon did his exaggerated shrugging of the shoulders routine.

"You realise that I only have two spare single beds, don't you?"

"No problems!" said Sarsaparilla, "Just ring up a furniture shop now and ask them to deliver immediately four more single beds plus bedding!"

"What, straight away? I mean, they're going to charge a lot extra for that... Oh, never mind."

Teylon did as he was told to.

Two hours later, they were all at his place. The furniture delivery people had already come and gone. Everyone had eaten a meal, ordered in by Teylon, of course. And the two girls, looking very tired and emotionally drained from the day's activities, had already been tucked into bed and were now sleeping. The others were gathered around Teylon's dining room table, talking softly.

"It's just as well I originally got a big table and lots of chairs, isn't it?" said Teylon.

"Sure, sure. But, Sarsaparilla, you say you are now talking directly to Esmeralda?" said Adalace.

So, those two are girlfriends, I bet. Adalace looks like she can barely retain her curiosity.

"That's right." said Sarsaparilla, who then spent some time explaining what had happened.

"Oh, my." said Adalace.

The other teenagers were quiet as they processed this.

"I still find it hard to believe, but whatever." said Francesca.

"We find it easier and easier to believe as time goes on." said Maggie.

"And, more to the point, are you getting soul readings from us?" said Adalace, looking menacing.

"Ah, no, not a thing. I've only gotten ones from Kaydence."

"Well, I suppose that is OK." said Leroy.

Both Leroy and Adalace looked relieved.

After a bit more talk, Francesca stretched and yawned.

"It's about time for me to go home all by myself. But don't worry about me! And I shall be back tomorrow, anyway."

Leroy and Maggie and Erasyl all took the hint, and the four of them left.

Everybody comes to the realisation that the difficulties have only just begun

Adalace: I definitely don't have a dark past, and I forbid you from getting any soul readings about it!

Adalace and Sarsaparilla were sitting on their respective beds in their shared bedroom. Naturally, they didn't have any pyjamas with them, getting them was one of the actions planned for tomorrow. So they were still wearing their street clothes.

They were intensely embarrassed.

Really, think of it as being just like when we went on the trip to Ironbark Dome. Well, apart from the fact that then we also had Maggie with us. Nothing to worry about.

But, that's not the main thing we need to talk about, is it?

My girlfriend has an Angel of Death talking to her. And giving her soul readings. Oh, shit.

"So, you now have a direct line of communication with Esmeralda. A highly powerful supernatural being."

"Yes. But, please, I'm still Sarsaparilla. And I still have all of my free will. Unlike Teylon."

"But Teylon does have free will."

"Yes, but he is also pushed around by Esmeralda, so you could say he has a reduced amount of free will."

"OK I suppose. And you now have a super power." said Adalace.

"That's right."

"You can Judge people. And you can get soul readings."

"Apparently I won't be allowed to Judge anyone any time soon."

"But you still have the soul readings."

"Ah, that's what's worrying you, isn't it? That I might be granted a soul reading that explains your dark past!"

"I do not have a dark past! Bloody hell, you make it sound as if I was an axe murderer or something!"

"Relax, relax, calm down!"

"And don't tell me to calm down!" said Adalace. She has a freaking Angel of Death giving her advice, and she wants me to calm down?

Sarsaparilla took a few deep breaths.

"Adalace, I really haven't received any soul readings from anyone but Kaydence. And, well, I don't think that Esmeralda will grant me any from you. Or at least none that might endanger our relationship in any way."

"How could you know that?"

"Because, let's see, she expressed some concern about you. Effectively she asked me to take care of you, although not in those words."

Finally calming down a little, Adalace asked: "Then, what words did she use?"

"Ah. This is maybe a little, shall we say, strange to say. She said that - that I had the potential to fall on the dark side. And so do you. So I needed to consciously try to keep on the good side. And to help you do the same."

"Oh."

Adalace thought about the implications of this.

"So, it's still about my alleged dark past, isn't it? She's implying that it might push me over the edge."

"Actually, she didn't say anything about that. You're the one who brought up your dark past in this context."

"Oh, never mind. Just don't do any soul readings on me, OK?"

"Well, I can promise never to request one. But, you know, what Esmeralda decides to do is completely beyond our powers to influence."

"OK, OK. Look, I will tell you one day about my definitely not dark past, but today is not that day."

"Considering we have a lot on our plate right now, that's fine."

They sat there for a few minutes in silence.

"I suppose I might have been over reacting there for a moment. I suppose the correct question I should have asked is - what are you feeling now? said Adalace.

"Totally overwhelmed, of course, you idiot! Please, can you give me a hug?"

Adalace did.

After Sarsaparilla managed to collect her wits sufficiently to last at least until tomorrow morning, they separated and went to their own beds.

Sarsaparilla’s right, she's the one that really needs the support now. This is not the time to worry about my dark past being found out.

I totally thought getting someone special would be so much simpler than all of this!

Tamara: Having an intense discussion after lights out.

The lights were out and Tamara and Devina were lying in their respective beds. Not being attracted to each other in particular or to girls in general, they had no special problems in taking off their outer most clothing before getting into bed. However, they were in a strange apartment, which was owned by a man they hardly knew, in extremely strange and peculiar circumstances. So it was not without any surprise that they had trouble falling asleep.

Devina must have turned over in her bed twenty times by now. Definitely more than I have.

"While we're awake like this, I don't suppose you would like to tell me why you had such a strong reaction to Juniper's plight?" said Tamara.

There was a loud flopping sound, as Devine turned to lie on her back, again.

"I suppose so. I guess us girls never did talk much about ourselves, did we? Well, basically I'm broken. Damaged goods. I'll never overcome what happened to me."

A loud sigh.

"I'll never be fixed. But, Juniper, who was mind wiped or something, sort of was fixed. Well, not by much, but that man Teylon managed to give back to her humanity. By some Death Angel nonsense or other. Whatever it is, he is saving her. And, if I can't save myself, I really want to be useful and save her. Because she's got a chance and I certainly don't."

"Hum, why don't you have a chance?"

"You already know that. Because I killed my father. And I don't regret it."

I did already know that.

"But why?"

A long silence from Devina. Then she started speaking, in fits and starts with gaps between each sentence:

"My father - produced custom made jewellery - he was artistic. Not very good artistic - he often got frustrated - and - well, he would take it out on me."

A longer than normal gap.

"He would poke at me with his soldering iron and sometimes it burnt really painfully I think he must have had something wrong with is brain as his behaviour got more and more irrational and I tried to get police and medical help but every time they just ignored me and the pain just kept on re-occurring and I used to love my dad but the pain just burnt it all away and left nothing but scars and finally I went mad myself and pulverised the concrete under his arms as he leant on the balcony and there was a lot of blood on the ground and I no longer feel anything at all and I certainly don't feel sorry for him and every time the Girls in Pink killed some horrible criminal all I was thinking about was my father and - and -

All I have left is the small hope that I can help someone else who also has had a shitty life."

"Oh."

How do I offer my support?

What did I do with my sister?

That's right, I gave her hugs.

But, it feels so inappropriate to just give Devina a hug like that...

What if I ask to see some of her scars?

Is that too creepy?

Well...

"Say, if you don't mind, can I see some of the scars?"

Actually, it is creepy.

"Sure."

Devina sat up in bed, exposing some of her back. She also turned on the bed light. So Tamara got up and took a look.

Yeah. Scars. Lot's of small scars and one or two bigger ones. That man must have been the absolute shits.

She tentatively placed on hand on Devina's back.

"I, I'm sorry."

Is that all I can manage? I'm pathetic. I'm sure I did a lot better when I was comforting my sister.

But Devina seemed to be appreciative.

"Thanks."

Feeling both relieved and embarrassed, Tamara got back into her bed, and Devina lay down again.

"Say, Tamara, what is your motivation to look after these two girls?"

We really don't know each other at all, do we? Maybe it's time to change that.

"Fair's fair, I suppose. Because she reminds me of my little sister. In some ways. And, let's just say that she was ill, and she died. But only because our father was too drunk and pissed out of his brain to care enough to take the effort to drive her to medical help. We lived in a small, isolated dome. And there were half a dozen times before that when he also couldn't be bothered to take her in, and each time she got worse. She died in my arms. I didn't kill him, and don't intend going back to do so, but I sometimes wish that I had."

"So, we're both broken dolls."

"Yeah, we are."

We're broken beyond repair. I suppose Devina is even more broken than I, but, that doesn't really help either of us, does it?

On this depressing note, they stopped talking and finally got to sleep.

Teylon: In the middle of the night he realises that he is enmeshed in a very sticky spider web

Teylon spent the night, between fitfully sleeping, worrying about what his life was turning into.

So, I'm supposed to do something about the evil in this society. Which I suppose I am. Or at least, I've identified some actual evil, even if I have no clue as to how to deal with it. But, was I supposed to end up in such a messy, complicated, tangle of relationships?

I mean, what am I to those kids? Or what are they to me?

I certainly can't claim to be a leader. Leaders spend their time accessing their followers and the situation, and then leading them somewhere. I'm just being dragged along by Esmeralda, like a puppet on a string, and things just happen between me and the kids.

It's not quite friendship - hmm, possibly I'm friends with Sarawatch, but with the kids?

A mentor? Father figure? Nyah, after their fun in deconstructing my past, I don't think I can claim either of those.

A voice of reason to temper their hormone charged teenage lives?

A few choice images of him being saved from falling from the outside of the window by Leroy and Maggie, went through his head.

Ah, not really.

He thrashed around in his bed a bit.

And now we also have the three Girls in Pink, who are quite happy to go around murdering men who are deemed evil enough. But only if they get enough money.

Why is Esmeralda doing that to us? At least, I presume we are not in any more danger from them.

What is the relationship between them and us? Enemies after the peace has been declared?

Esmeralda! I didn't have any such connections to people in my life on Earth!

Well, apart from Emilia.

Yeah. Right.

He flipped over again, then had to grab his blanket off the floor and put it back on himself.

That's what's really happening, isn't it?

This is part of my judgement. I'm making up for my lack connections on Earth. I'm being forced to join up and be responsible for a bunch of people on Mars. Wether I like it or not. Irrespective of how much pain it causes me.

He looked at the bedside clock.

3:00am.

This sucks. Although, as punishments go, I suppose I can't complain. It's not even remotely in the same league as that shit Vicanef's.

So, I now have a lot of fellow companions on this trip. Which just so happens to be organised by my own personal Angel of Death.

Oh, that's right, Esmeralda is now talking directly to Sarsaparilla also.

He did not have a clue what to think about that.

And now Sarsaparilla is using her powers to look after Kaydence. And I'm using mine to look after Juniper.

Two more girls to look after.

Where is all of this going to end?

I bet it's going to involve more money.

You know, I might as well give up on the shocked routine every time I have to pay something. It's getting a little overdone. And it's obvious that those kids have been designated as the natural recipients for my ill gotten gains, so I might as well get over it already.

Leroy: Deciding he is not worthy

At least Leroy got to spend the night in his own bed. But it was just as restless as the others.

Kaydence. Kaydence and Juniper almost were killed by that horror.

And Sarsaparilla had an Angel of Death talking to her and helping her save Kaydence.

Just what sort of friendship group have I ended up in?

Not to mention three killer ladies.

And, how do I keep Kaydence from future harm?

I really, really feel for her.

Wait a minute, I'm really really obsessing over her, aren't I. Yeah, I am...

The damsel in distress syndrome. I have it bad.

But, but, do I deserve someone like Kaydence? Do I deserve to be in a relationship?

I don't, do I?

So what am I going to do?

Eventually

For God's sake, she is not my girlfriend and nowhere near being one. Just pretend that I'm just looking after her, just like the others.

In fact, how are we going to do that?

Devina: Looking at her future and seeing nothing.

Very early in the morning Devina woke up again.

Oh hell, it's still not morning.

And now Tamara knows about my pain. About my father burning me, scaring me.

She squirmed in embarrassment and shame.

I must ask her not to tell anyone else, except, maybe Francesca. Especially not those young teenagers. And most definitely not Teylon, for god's sake.

Oh shit. And for that matter, not Juniper. Nor Kaydence. In fact, I, that is we, must keep the Girls in Pink's past jobs a big secret from those two girls. Considering how innocent they appear to be, and how fragile their personalities may be, we must keep it a secret from them.

Also, I need to have a private talk with Francesca. I can't go on any more 'jobs' can I?

Would Juniper like me if she knew the truth about me?

Can't see how she would.

Maybe I should withdraw from this, let Teylon look after her...

Teylon, a man. But, he is a nice man, isn't he? But, but, I can't just let her go. I can't. If I do, that is my last hope gone for myself.

She curled up in bed, hands over her head, and shuddered at the memory of burning pains, the smell of burning skin.

I will save Juniper!

But only Teylon can give her memories back. Apparently.

So, I will force myself to work with him. And the others.

No tears came. She did not have any left. She hugged her knees and waited for the dawn.

Kaydence: I wanna go shopping!

Kaydence's feelings were a constant roller ride. They whiplashed all over the place. Every time she woke up, which was often, her thoughts were a kaleidoscope.

I'm back with Sarsaparilla! That's wonderful!

But Shane was supposed to kill me! What am I going to do?

No! He won't! Sarsaparilla will save me! And Leroy. He seems like a really nice boy.

But I no longer live at the orphanage. Or in those horrible dormitories. I hope that boss man who gave me that dodgy drink meets with a nasty accident.

And where will I live?

But Sarsaparilla will be with me! And Leroy. And the others, they all seem such nice people.

Along as they keep me away from Shane.

And we had such nice food here. All the ice cream I could eat. We never could do that back at the orphanage.

And my clothes! I need to go shopping with Sarsaparilla for something nice.

I never had much in the way of nice clothes before. I want to buy lots of them! All of those girls that rescued me seem to be wearing such nice things!

I want it all!

But what if that horrible Shane comes after me?

Sarsaparilla and Leroy will save me!

And so on and so on.

Juniper: Analysing what she has so far and what she needs to do in the future

Juniper, by contrast, was calm and composed. She woke up early and lay there, looking up at the ceiling, barely visible by the pre dawn light coming through the window. She methodically went through the events of the night before.

So, I'm not a clone after all. So why was I told I was?

I can't remember much.

She went through each resurrected memory, reverently examining it.

She felt again the cold water on her feet, heard again her mother calling out to her.

She shed some more tears as she stood during her parent's funeral.

She stroked her fluffy kitten and avoided its claws as it playfully swatted back at her.

These memories are me, they are what I am.

I am not a clone, I am a human, I deserve a life.

But I have so few of my memories available. Perhaps Teylon can give me back some more?

He is looking after me. And so is Devina. They are both very nice.

Maybe I can give something back in return?

She tried to remember more. She tried, but in vain, to get some idea of what sort of person she had been.

Never mind. I'm sure it will work out.

After all, I've already told Shane that I don't want to be killed, so that problem is out of the way.

I should get back to sleep now; I need to get some rest.

And Kaydence is certainly moving about a lot in her bed. I wonder why?

Sarsaparilla: Seeking some reassurance

As she expected, Sarsaparilla had a restless night. She kept on waking up, and thinking about those girls that came before Kaydence and Juniper. Thinking of them dying at the hands of a stupid shit named Shane. About him killing the twin girls. And what about the future? Can they all be sure that Kaydence and Juniper won't be targeted in some way? And then, there was the Angel of Death business.

I've got my super power! But it's terrifying! I have an Angel of Death who will sometimes loan me her powers. And she tells me that I might turn to evil if I don't watch out. And Adalace is freaking out over the fact that I might read her soul. I hope I don't lose her.

And Adalace is making a lot of racket turning over in her bed like that. It's not even morning, and we are both awake.

"Adalace?"

"Hmm?"

"You're not going to leave me just because of the little matter of me being able to Judge people and send their souls on to the afterlife?"

"Nyah. I might have my worries, but why should I desert you over such a minor matter like that?"

"Ah, Thanks."

After a while.

"Adalace?"

"Yeah?"

"How the hell are we going to look after Kaydence and Juniper, anyway?"

Maggie: Waking up with the sun, and ends up with some help:

In Maggie's case, her shallow and disturbing dreams were mainly about that girl dying in her arms from the first time she had met Shane.

Thank God Juniper and Kaydence were saved.

Early that morning she got up from bed and dressed. She was feeling fuzzy and irritable.

I'm getting scared again. Damn these feelings! Maybe I should ring someone for company - Nyah, I'm too embarrassed.

Just then her phone buzzed.

"Hi Maggie, this is Erasyl! I'm, err, feeling a little overwhelmed by all of this, how about I meet you at your front door and we can make our way together to Teylon's?"

"Yes! Please do! Ah, that is, if it's not too much bother, of course..."

"Not at all!"

By the time he arrived, Maggie had managed to - settle herself down.

I can't help those girls if I'm continually in a tizzy of fear about being abducted again. Although it is nice for Erasyl to offer his company for our walk to Teylon.

Say... I wonder, exactly why did he ring me?

"Come in, have a seat, we're still a bit early."

They sat on opposite sides of Maggie's table. Erasyl looking somewhat uncomfortable, Maggie looking just a tad cross. Eventually, Maggie made the first move.

"I bet the real reason you offered to come over is because you thought I needed some company, yes?"

"Ah, yes, I've been found out. I hope this is still within my allowed range of interactions?" said Erasyl, with a meek voice and demeanour.

"Or maybe, you wanted my company?"

"Ah, yes again. Err, is that OK?"

"Oh, I dare say it passes muster. But, remember, strictly platonic friendship only! Otherwise I will get really annoyed!"

"Yes, yes, friendship only!"

"I hate to say this, but you really have improved. Why on Mars were you such an obnoxious little jerk when we first met?"

Erasyl winced at her ever so tender words.

"Sorry, well, I suppose you could say because of complete ignorance on how to make friends? I never had any before, you know."

"I know that. We all knew that. But, still, didn't your family pull you up on that behaviour?"

"You haven't met my family. Two hulking big macho brothers, plus dad, a heavy weight boxer and one time weight lifting champion. Compared to them, I was just the runt of the litter. That fact that I'm bisexual definitely didn't help. And mum died years ago."

"Hmm, it looks like we all have our own little family dynamics, doesn't it? Of course, I didn't have any friends before this, either."

"Yeah, we all knew that, also. Actually, I've noticed, you go through life looking slightly cross and ill tempered, even when you're not feeling that at all, don't you?"

A long evaluative stare from Maggie.

"Yeah, I do. It's a pain. While it's no big secret, I suppose, but still I'm surprised that you noticed."

"Of course I noticed. I bet that is one of the reasons why you didn't make any friends before us."

I am not a perpetually grumpy old maid! I refuse to settle for that stereotype!

"It's not the main one! My mother dying is what really upset my socialisation. Plus that fact that dad had trouble coping with his grief. And he tended to prefer me when I acted like a proper little miss, instead of an aspiring super powerful ability user. And, besides which, if my disgruntled expression turned off all previous friends, how come I have managed to prosper in our friendship group?"

Small grin from Erasyl.

"Because, you see, our group is not even remotely normal. We have gone from amazing revelations to excitement to life and death situations and back again. We hardly ever see you in a neutral setting, in a normal setting where your normal expression could put us off. We see you, and you see us, in extremes. We have a good idea of what sort of person you really are. And we like that."

"Yeah - you're right. It's obvious once you think of it. I tell you, that Teylon has a lot to answer for!" said Maggie.

"Or Esmeralda? After all, she is the one pushing him around."

"But the one we see is Teylon. Oh, and now also, Sarsaparilla."

"Yeah, now that is amazing. I still haven't worked out what I think about that." said Erasyl.

"Join the club."

It was now time to go, so that went.

So, now I'm actually friends with the not-any-longer obnoxious jerk? Wonders will never cease!

But, that doesn't help us with what do we do about Kaydence and Juniper.

Erasyl: Starting to be hopeful:

I think I can claim a budding friendship is in the offering here! But will it ever proceed any further?

He pictured the image of Maggie getting definitely angry, with bits of metal flying menacingly around her head.

We shall stick with purely platonic friendship for the foreseeable future! It's so much safer!

Although I am glad for her streak of violence, it may come in use for protecting the girls.

Francesca: Putting on her makeup and thinking about her future career choices

Francesca was getting ready to go to Teylon's place. She looked into her mirror and -

Ugh, I look horrible.

I think I had better apply a bit more makeup than usual, to hide the shadows under my eyes. Well, my right eye. You can't really see any difference on the left hand side of my face.

She momentarily stroked her face on the left side.

I wonder if the others slept any better than I did?

It's certainly interesting. Devina, who lives in a perpetual cloud of anger, with a lot of not quite hidden fear and pain behind it, and the occasional rage when we are dealing with our targets, who avoids anything but the most superficial of relationships, is suddenly wanting to look after that girl.

What was her name...? That's right, Juniper.

What's more, Devina is forcing herself to tolerate Teylon, a man, to do so.

That's - amazing.

And Tamara is willing to help her.

This is a lot more interesting than going out and killing a bunch of scumbags. That's for sure.

Hmm, Teylon has just paid us for a job that entailed not killing anyone. It would be nice if...

Sarawatch: Finishing her breakfast and deciding it's time to take back her life

Sarawatch had been informed about the outcome the previous night. So today, she was going to skip going to work in the morning, and join the throng at Teylon's place.

So Teylon managed to save those girls.

That's amazing.

Whereas, pathetic little old me couldn't do anything but cower in my mouse hole, wringing my hands in misery and having flashbacks about that girl dying.

If they had done what I suggested, those two girls would right now be two more bodies in some morgue.

God forgive me, I feel so inadequate.

Right! From now on, I'm going to be proactive! I will do something to help!

Oh, yeah. Like what? I've been through all of this before. I couldn't do anything, could I?

But Teylon appears to be managing something. I don't know what the hell it is, but he is definitely making a difference.

So, I shall follow his lead.

It's time to stop being frightened of what those anonymous bastards might do to me. If Teylon and co can save those two girls, then I'm going to help them to keep on saving them!

I'm still frightened, but.

Ignore it.

Sigh. It's a shame that his Angel of Death means that nothing interesting will be happening between him and me.

And- what was that he said about Sarsaparilla also being chosen by Esmeralda?

What does that mean?

Teylon: Hosting breakfast for everybody

Teylon looked at the crowd currently gathered around his dining room table.

Just as well I catered for a large number.

As might be expected, things were somewhat chaotic.

There were a few little remarks from the two oldest adults concerning teenagers who were supposed to be at school today, but the teenagers in question just fobbed them off.

"We're over sixteen, so we can make up our own minds about school attendance. And this is much more important!" would be a good summary of their opinions on this matter.

Apart from introducing Sarawatch to the two new girls, Teylon decided that trying to do anything else in this crowd was pointless.

It appears that Kaydence wants to go shopping, and Juniper is happy to follow, so how about we split up?

"Everyone, this crowd is on the big side, so how about me and Devina and Sarsaparilla and Leroy take the two girls shopping, while everybody else comes back to here for lunch?"

There was some grumbling from the three teenagers left out, but everyone had to concede that it was a reasonable plan.

He turned to face Francesca.

"The kids all have access to my apartment, so if you're here first just wait for one of them to arrive."

She raised her good eyebrow at this.

Plans were made. Francesca and Tamara were going to go back to their own apartment, and bring back various essentials for Devina and Tamara.

Similarly, Sarsaparilla gave Adalace the security code to her place, and Adalace was to bring back essentials for herself and Sarsaparilla.

Sarawatch went off to work, saying she will be back.

Erasyl looked at Maggie, with a slightly hopeful expression on his face. Maggie returned a look of annoyance, then she said:

"Fine, fine, let's go for a walk. There's lot's to talk about, anyway."

Teylon noticed this interaction.

So, they are actually getting along with each other. Good, good.

And the main group collected themselves and went off shopping.