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Ardnix: Chapter 5
Our Last Five Days On Earth

~It had been two days since the incident with Jared. No one knows where he is and no one asks. Its truly a sad existence when no one cares. As for Kayla and Thomas however, they both got colds from being in the rain so long. Both of them bed ridden Jennifer visited them everyday. Thomas had not actually woken up for longer he needed to use the bathroom. There was a strange thing about this level of fatigue, something inhuman.

~On the third day after the incident Thomas woke up. He was a bit dazed but he stayed awake this time. The first things he saw were Kayla and Jennifer smiling at him. "Hey, whats everyone doing in my room?" He asked.

~"Finally your awake. How are you feeling? Can you move your arm?" Kayla asked. Thomas tried to move his left arm but couldn't much. "The doctors said it would take awhile. Your arm will be fine soon enough."

~"I guess thats good news." Thomas said sitting up right. He put his right hand to his head. It ached fiercely due to his cold. His nose felt stuffy and his throat a little sore. He stomach growled because he hadn't eaten. "Ough. I feel like crap."

~"You couldn't hold anything down. Food or medicine. You got a cold from the rain." Jennifer said.

~"I'M SICK!? Wait, I PUKED?! Wait, wait, wait... Why am I clean?"

~"My dad hired a nurse. She kept you clean."

~"You were like a little baby. Puking all over yourself. Except its cute when babies do it." Jennifer said.

~"At least I'm clean now." Jennifer hugged him hard.

~"When Jimmy told me what was happening before I made him run off after you I was so worried."

~"Thanks." He said hugging her back. "I can barely remember anything. Right after I got shot everything went black and I woke up now."

~"Really? You don't remember the light?" Kayla asked.

~"The light? What Light?" Suddenly it rushed to his head. He saw from outside his own body, the punch and the light. Instantly after he was back in his own body. "I sort of remember. But I feel like I wasn't myself. Where is Jared?"

~"He just disappeared in the light. Not a sound. Not a trace. No one even cares." Kayla said.

~"Its kinda sad when you think about it." Jennifer said.

~Thomas rubbed his head. "For some reason I just still don't feel ri---" He couldn't finish his sentence because he started coughing up blood.




~Jennifer and Kayla got Thomas to the hospital as soon as they could. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with him. They did find a strange unknown organism living in his blood stream. "We are going to have to keep you here for the next few days until we can figure out what is wrong. Also, we have to look further into these organisms." The doctor said as he left the room."

~The girls stayed with Thomas at the hospital for hours just talking and watching TV. Eventually it got late and the nurse gave the the choice to stay or go home. They both chose to stay with their ill friend. While he slept in the comfy bed they had to sleep in chairs.

`Thomas was still awake and uneasy. Suddenly there was a knocking at the window. "What the hell? We're on the third floor." Thomas knew he wasn't supposed to but he got out of the bed anyway. He went to the window and look out side. "There is nothing there... Huh. I swear I heard a knock. I'm just imagining things I guess." He stared at the moon a moment. Suddenly a face inched down into view. Startled he fell back yet remained quiet.

~"Hey." The person said opening the window.

~"Who the hell are you."

~"Shut up and sit still." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an electronic device. He pointed it at Thomas.

~"What is that thing?"

~"I said shut up. Does that not mean the same thing here as it does on Asagura?"

~"What is Asagura?"

~"I swear, one more word and I'll slap you." He looked at his electrical device. "Its done. Hmmmm. Do you know what you are?"

~"Yea, really freaked out and confused."

~"You aren't human kid."

~"What are you talking about?"

~"My name is Daniel. Call me Danny. I am from the Animalian Beast Planet, Asagura."

~"You're just making stuff up."

~"Oh yeah? Let me prove it to you."

~"Good luck with that." Danny gave him a smirk. He stood up tall. Before Thomas' eyes he transformed into a bear. "What is this?" Thomas asked in shock.

~"This is the power of an Animalian. We can transform into animals known on Earth." He transformed back into his human form. "In our normal state we look just like humans. You yourself are an Animalian."

~"I've never been able to do that. If I am then why can't I transform?"

~"You are not as suprised as they thought you would be. I guess I'll explain a bit."

~"Please do."

~Danny sat down. "The elders of Asagura sent me to bring you back. I don't know why they need to see some one like you though."

~"What do you mean 'some one like me'?"

~"Your abilities are dormant. Without having visited the Maturity Springs on any planet, you are nothing more than a mere human." Danny looked at Thomas and he seemed a bit lost. Danny sighed and continued. "The Maturity Spring is a place your father brings you when you reach the age of 9. Thats when you first get your abilities. There are uncountable amounts of Animalian Planets each with its own spring. Each spring holds genetics of different Earth animals."

~"That sounds amazing." Then Thomas looked and saw Jennifer and Kayla sleeping. "But there is no way I can go. I have too much here I don't want to leave."

~"You don't have a choice. The elders told me to use force if I need to. I already have your scent so you can't hide."

~"But I don't want to leave."

~"You saw me transform into a bear. There is no way you can over power me."

~"I...I guess I have no choice. I am coming back right?" Danny shrugged. "For the elders to decide?"

~"Exactly." Danny said feeling bad for Thomas. "You're still thinking about eluding me huh?"

~"No. Its useless isn't it?"

~"Sure is. To be fair, I'll give you 5 days. Make the best of it."

~"Where can I find you then?"

~"I'll find you. Don't worry about it. What are you doing in a hospital anyway?"

~"They don't actually know whats wrong with me. They found some unknown organism living in my blood stream."

~"What happened that got you in here for them to discover that?"

~"When I was at home I just suddenly started--" Thomas started coughing up blood. "That."

~"Let me take a look." Danny took the electronic device out again. He scraped up some blood and put it in a special compartment. "It is Asaguran Bacteria. It must have been in you since you left the planet."

~"I've always been on Earth."

~"As far as you know. You were born on Asagura. You have parents here right?"

~"I had my mother shes dead now."

~"She isn't your birth mother."

~"I knew that already. She let me know early. Are my real parents still alive?"

~"They are. They are very famous too."

~"They are?"

~"Your father is the best metalsmith known in the galaxy."

~"Thats incredible."

~"We don't use weapons much but the tools he creates helps. He helps me with my inventions sometimes too." As Thomas was listening he continued to cough up blood. "The Asaguran bacteria are trying to eat their way out of your bloodstream. Just drink some orange juice."

~"Orange juice?"

~"Don't question it. Orange juice kills them." Danny's device started beeping. "Look, I gotta go. See you in the five days." Danny climbed back into the windowsill. He jumped out the window, transformed into a bird, and flew off.

~Thomas climbed back into his bed. It took him half an hour to finally fall asleep.




~By noon the next day Thomas was released from the hospital. The unknown organisms were nowhere to be found in Thomas' body. This was day one of five before he had to leave.

~"Its weird how they just disappeared." Kayla said.

~"I know. I wonder what they were. Are you sure you feel fine enough to be walking about?" Jennifer asked.

~"My knees feel a little weak, but I'm good."

~"Well lets do something special." Kayla said.

~"For what?" Thomas asked

~"For your good health."

~"That and because you are lucky to be alive." Jennifer said.

~"I am?"

~"Think about it. If Jared didn't miss with that gun you would be dead." Jennifer said.

~"I don't think so. I wouldn't let something so small be the end of me."

~"You were crying and said something about being afraid to die right before you passed out." Kayla said.

~"I did not." Thomas said defensively. "I would never."

~"You did though. Even ask Jimmy."

~"He didn't notice." Jennifer said. "He would have said something to me about Thomas not being a man."

~"Even though he helped me out I still don't like him. He seems to only care about himself."

~"Thats because he does. Well me too. If anything happened to me he'd go crazy and kill people."

~"Now he sounds like a psychopath."

~"Enough about her messed up brother. Lets just do something." Kayla said.

~"Why don't we go to the movies?" Jennifer suggested.

~"Alright. That sounds good."

~"I don't know. I don't feel like going anywhere." Kayla gave him a look. "And its not my choice anyway?"

~"Exactly." Jennifer said. "So lets just go."




~Thomas spent his second and third days as usual. The girls did notice he looked a little distraught but didn't know how to help him. On the fourth day he woke up early. He quickly ran to Jennifer's house. He knew she would be awake now. He rang the bell an waited. Jimmy answered the door.

~"Hey Jimmy, is Jennifer home?" Jimmy yawned rubbing his eyes as he slammed the door shut. Thomas rang the bell again. Jimmy came back and slapped him across the head. Thomas rang the bell again and again. This time Jennifer answered the door.

~"What are you doing here so early? Don't you sleep for another 5 hours? Its only 7:42am."

~"I decided to wake up early today. Is it okay if we spend the day together?" Thomas asked looking away.

~"Just the two of us?" Jennifer asked blushing. "Sure that would be great."

~"What do you want to do?"

~"I don't know. You pick."

~"I hate making decisions."

~"I do too. One of us has to."

~"Then you do it."

~"Why don't you?"

~"Ok fine. I choose that you choose."

~"This is really going nowhere. We could just sit around and talk. There is this nice hill an hour or two away. When it gets dark you can see the stars perfect because its more towards the country."

~"It supposed to be pretty clear out. We should see them tonight."

~"Yea. That would be great."

~"Lets go instead of just talking about it."




~When Thomas and Jennifer arrived, Thomas was amazed. "This hill is huge. I've never seen grass this green. LOOK AT THAT TREE! Its elevated so high. I love heights."

~"You like heights? They scare me. I like the ocean."

~"The ocean is even better. I like to just float around. The ocean, the rain, the wind, and heights. They are the best." Thomas said sitting leaning against the tree.

~Jennifer sat down next to him leaning forward with her knees up. Her arms were wrapped around her knees. "How do you like living here compared to where you were living before?" She asked.

~"Well the other place was my home for the longest time. Living here is better though. I have my two best friends and things seemed to get better and better. Its a shame I have to leave it."

~"You have to leave it?" Jennifer asked confused.

~"Yea. NO! I meant it'd be a shame should I have to leave it." Thomas said, just now remembering he still had not told Kayla and Jennifer that he is leaving the entire planet against his will.

~"Oh. You almost scared me for a moment. You haven't been here that long and I hardly got to know you. It would be terrible if you had to leave."

~"That it would be."

~"If you were to leave, where would you go?"

~"I don't know. I'm happy just being here. Though I've always wanted to go on an adventure."

~"There is no adventure to be found around here."

~Thomas thought a moment. "What do you consider an adventure?"

~"Like in an anime or cartoon show. Stuff that could never happen."

~"That is cool, but its not the only kind of adventure."

~"What other kind of adventures can you think of?"

~"Going to a new country, learning a new skill, trying to be a batter person," he hesitated to think for a moment, "Love."

~"You think love is an adventure?"

~"How isn't it? Its so complex and confusing."

~"I'm still not so convinced its an adventure. If its an adventure than I'm a bad adventurer."

~"What do you mean?" Thomas asked confused.

~Jennifer let out a sigh. "I've had so many boy friends. The relationships never lasted longer than a week or two. They all kept trying to pressure me into sex."

~"And you wouldn't give it to them?"

~"Nope." Thomas slapped her back. She was shocked and looked at him.

~"Good for you. If they break up with you over that then its their loss. You're a fun person to hang around with. If they aren't happy with just that than screw them. When you feel your ready then thats when its time."

~"Thanks. I guess you're right. If they don't want to wait then they can just forget about anything at all."

~"You'll be ready to have the most meaningful relationship you could never dream of in a few years."

~"Not with Jimmy around. Over protective."

~"Why is he so over protective?"

~"To tell you the truth, months after our parents died we learned that we weren't their biological kids. Me and Jimmy aren't even really brother and sister." Thomas looked at her in disbelief as she continued. "He used to treat me like a little sister."

~"How does he treat you differently?"

~"Now he acts as if its his job to protect me. He used to be a lot more protective. Its only recently that he let me go places alone."

~"It seems people like us are drawn together." Jennifer's facial expression showed Thomas he needed to clarify. "My mother wasn't my real mother either."

~"Do you ever feel like you came from another planet? I do all the time."

~"Not until recently."

~"It would be cool if there were life on other planets. Too bad we are nowhere near having the technology to go out far enough to search."

~"Ours isn't, but maybe some living things out there have the technology." Thomas was thinking about his talk with Danny in the hospital. Was tomorrow, day five, the day Thomas was leaving or the night he would last spend on Earth? "I'd rather never go."

~"I'd love to explore space. I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little. What did you want to be when you were little?"

~"A cat." Thomas said smiling.

~"A cat?" Jennifer asked laughing.

~"Cats are the best. I love snow leopards and tigers."

~"I'd rather have a house cat. If only they stayed as kittens."

~"Kittens are so much cuter. Even the adults are cute sometimes too. Cute backed by power is a ferocious thing."

~"Have you noticed everything we talk about leads into a new conversation?"

~"No I haven't. Until just now."

~"Side track side track side track." Thomas' stomach grumbled loudly. "Hungry."

~"Haven't eaten breakfast."

~"Lets go back to my house and eat lunch. I'll cook it in fact."

~"Ooooo. You'll cook? I can't wait."

~"Then we can come back here and look at the stars."

~"Lets just get going. I'm so hungry."




~When Thomas and Jennifer got back to Jennifer's house he waited impatiently for his food while he watched TV. When it was finally done he sat down at the dining room table. "Finally its done. I can't wait. What is it?"

~Jennifer came out with a bowlful of soup for each of them. "I hope you like it. I made this recipe a year ago." Before she could pull her hands away Thomas was already eating it. He stopped and spit it out. "Whats wrong? Too hot?"

~"No offense, but its terrible. How did you make this?"

~"You don't like it? I make it the same way I always do and Jim saves it for the next day at work."

~"Are you sure he eats it at work?"

~"Maybe you're right." She brought Thomas into the kitchen and showed him her recipe for Chicken Soup. "See? This is ho I make it."

~Thomas shook his head. "All the ingredients are good and all. I don't see what happened. Maybe your measurements were wrong."

~"Measurements?" Thomas just stared at her. "I don't have any measurements."

~"You need balances in your food. Let me show you how to cook properly." It took Thomas a couple of hours but he cooked a grand feast. By the time they finished the meal it was already about 3 PM. They sat around talking about whatever came to mind. It seemed the longer the two of the stayed together the harder it would be to separate them.

~When they saw it was getting late they got ready to go back to the hill to see the stars. "Its going to be cold. You should bring something warm" Thomas said.

~"Your right." Jennifer ran up stairs. She came back in the same sweater Thomas let her use when they were fishing days ago. "I'm sure I'll be warm in this. I brought a couple of blankets too. You got the food?"

~"Yup." Thomas said smiling. "A little night picnic under the stars. This is sure to be fun."




~It was really late when they arrived. They could see the star extremely well. "Hey. Isn't that my sweater?"

~Jennifer giggled. "Yes. Do you want it back?"

~"No. You can keep it. I was just mad when I thought I lost it."

~"Are you sure you don't want it back?"

~"Its in good hands. It just means a lot to me."

~"How come?"

~"She made it for me."

~"Oh. Your mother. I'll take real good care of it. But are you sure you don't want it with you because of that?"

~"Its okay. Really. I have this." He pulled a chain with a strange glowing gem on it our from his shirt. "Her necklace. It comforts me."

~Jennifer smiled. "I wish I had something to remember my parents by."

~"Why don't you?"

~"Jimmy got rid of it all. He thought it would be too saddening to have around." Jennifer kept her smile even talking about this subject. "Aren't the stars pretty tonight?"

~Thomas looked up at them and laid back against the tree. "Its too bad such beauty can't be touched." Jennifer laughed when he said that. "Whats so funny?"

~"Its nothing. You just say stuff like that quite a bit."

~"Stuff like what?" Thomas asked self consciously.

~"Cute little things like that, 'Its too bad such beauty can't be touched.' I just like when you say things like that. Its cool and beautiful."

~Thomas was caught off guard. "Now I feel stupid.

~"Don't, I said I like it."

~"A lot of people don't like it. The call me gay."

~"Those people who say that are just jealous."

~"You think so?"

~"Truly and really 100 percent."

~Thomas smiled. "Thanks Jennifer."

~She smiled back. "Your welcome Thomas."

~They sat quietly just staring at the stars. Once in a while pointing out constellations and clusters of stars. "Hey Jennifer."

~"Yes Thomas?"

~"Do you mind if I hold your hand?" They both blushed looking at each other with awkward smiles on their faces.

~"Go ahead." She said trying to cover her face with her other hand. When Thomas grabbed her hand it felt warm. Their heart beats raced faster and faster to the point where it sent butterflies to their stomachs. "Thomas?"

~"Yea?"

~"You're crushing my hand."

~"Oh. Sorry." He said loosening his grip. "I don't really know how to be gentle."

~"Its okay. You said you didn't have a girlfriend before right? And you liked to fight. Nothing about any of that is gentle. You'll learn when you get a girlfriend."

~"Who knows when that will happen."

~"Depends on what kind of girl you like. Is there someone in school you like?"

~"Of course. There is one girl."

~"Have you told her yet?"

~"Do you hang out with her."

~"Always."

~"Does she know you like her?"

~"Maybe."

~"So you think she likes you?"

~"Its a possibility."

~"Do you think shes pretty?"

~"Shes beautiful."

~"I see. When do you plan to ask her to be your girlfriend?"

~"Maybe after I see how I feel after I kiss her."

~"So do it." The both leaned into each other ready to kiss when they heard two familiar voices.

~"So this is where you two have been? We were worried sick." Kayla said.

~"I could care less about you." Jimmy said to Thomas. "But you know better than to be out so late and not tell me where you are."

~"We were just watching the stars." Jennifer said.

~"Then why are you holding hands and sitting so close? Is this food? You even had dinner?" Kayla said investigating.

~"Looks like we ruined a little romantic evening Kayla." Jimmy said. "I'm not letting you two out of my sight tomorrow."

~Thomas let go of her hand. "We weren't doing anything."

~"Yea." Jennifer interrupted. "We only lost track of time."

~"Its already 1 AM." Kayla said. "Lets get home Thomas."

~"You too Jennifer." Jimmy said.

~"Yes mom." Thomas said to Kayla rolling his eyes.

~"Yes mom and dad." Jennifer said to Jimmy and Kayla also rolling her eyes.

~Kayla slapped Thomas off the back of the head. "Stop being a wise a**."

~"Sorry." Thomas said rubbing the back of his head. "Is it really that late?"

~"Yea. Its exactly 1:36 AM." Jimmy said.

~Thomas thought a moment as the walked. He was sure tomorrow was the day he was leaving. He didn't want to go after what happened tonight. "Lets all just go to the park tomorrow. Sit around and have lunch."

~"Whats with this sudden including me?" Jimmy asked.

~"You said you were gonna follow us around anyway didn't you?" Jimmy looked at him. He nodded and just looked ahead. "So you are coming too."




~They had a quiet walk back to Jennifer's house. Kayla and Jimmy stood between Thomas and Jennifer as buffers. Jennifer gave Thomas a kiss on the cheek before going inside with Jimmy. Jimmy didn't share any words with Jennifer. he just sent her to her room. Kayla on the other hand had a lot of words for Thomas.

~"What do you think you were doing?"

~"We weren't doing anything."

~"You haven't been here that long. Don't you think you should wait before entering a relationship with Jennifer?"

~"No... I really don't."

~"Shes had a lot of boyfriends and they all break up with her because she won't give them sex. I'm just tired of her getting hurt."

~"You think I would hurt her?"

~Kayla sighed. "No. I don't think you would. But I just think its too soon. What if something happens?"

~"What could happen?"

~"What if your real parents come for you and try to take you home with them."

~"I know thats not going to happen."

~"How can you be so sure?"

~"Because I know where my parents are."

~"And where are they?"

~"On another planet."

~"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."

~"Well its true. And I'm going there."

~"I'll play pretend with you. If you are going... are you going to take her with you?"

~"I don't know."

~"So you'd just leave her here? You don't think that would hurt her?"

~"Look... I already feel bad enough that I'm leaving. I don't know what I'm going to do about everything just yet. There is so much I just don't know anymore."

~"Thomas... did you ever think maybe I'd feel left out? Don't you think I'd be sad if you just left."

~"I know you'd be sad If I left. We are best friends and have been for ever. But why would you feel left out?"

~"If you two were a couple I'd be a third wheel now wouldn't I?"

~"But the three of us always hangout together and there isn't a problem."

~"You just don't get it do you? If you two are a couple when we hangout, you two will act differently. You two will be all lovey dovey and I'll just be sitting there."

~"I'm sorry Kayla. I just never thought that far into it."

~"I know you didn't. You've never been in this situation before. Love changes people. You will learn that."

~"I won't let it change me."

~"You can't defy everything and succeed."

~"I can try like I always do. Our friendship will never die."

~Kayla laughed. "Now that the Thomas I always knew."

~"I promise things won't change no matter what."

~"Thats a pretty big promise to make. Are you sure you can back it up?"

~"Not so sure as I was before you asked."

~"You better get to bed soon," Kayla said as they got closer to her house. "If you plan to make enough food to feed us all."

~"I know."

~They didn't say any more as they went inside. They both got to sleep as soon as they could.



~The next day Kayla woke up really early. It was 9 AM and Thomas was still cooking. She went down to the kitchen first thing. "What did my parents say when they saw all this?"

~"Nothing much. Just wondering when I'd pay for it all."

~"Well hurry up. I'm going to go take a shower."

~"Yup."

~In ten minutes Jennifer and Jim arrived. "You still aren't done cooking? It better be good." Jimmy said.

~"It will be. Trust me." Jennifer said.

~"Its nearly done. Just be patient."

~Kayla exited her shower just as Thomas finished cooking. Everyone waited now for Thomas to get ready.




~Within 20 minutes they all got to the park and began eating. "SOOOO GOOD!!" Jimmy said.

~"Better than what you made yesterday." Jennifer said.

~"I didn't know you could cook so well." Kayla said.

~They all enjoyed themselves for hours. Thomas grew more anxious as time went by and everyone noticed. Thomas soon noticed a familiar face walking towards them. It was Danny.

~"Hey over there. How are you doing?" Danny asked.

~"Who are you?" Jimmy asked.

~"I'm a friend of Thomas. So when do you think you'll be ready to go?"

~"I'll never be ready to go."

~"You have to go sometime. I'll let you a few more ours free. I'll be right up in that tree there." he said pointing out a tree. He quickly climbed it and waited patiently.

~"What was that all about?" Kayla asked. "You actually know him?"

~"Yea."

~"From where?" Jennifer asked.

~"Its complicated. I'd rather not talk about it now."

~Kayla had a sudden shock run through her body. "Thomas. I need to talk to you alone." She said pulling him away. When they were far enough away she said, "You weren't lieing last night, were you?"

~"Hes taking me away, and I can't do anything."

~"How can you say that? You never give up."

~"He can transform into animals. Even I know when I'm beat."

~"You didn't think you were beat when Jared had a magnum against you?"

~"I did, but I had something more important to do. I needed to save a friend."

~"I also had a dream last night. I saw you and 5 others standing up against millions of people. Then you disappeared. Everyone looked in my direction and you were behind me. Then you stabbed me."

~"Thats crazy. I would never hurt you?"

~"I know, but its just weird." Thomas just shook his head and they walked back to the table. Kayla decided to through a bit of the trash away. When she was walking back to the table shadows suddenly grew. It looked as if something was falling.

~Little pods landed on the ground. The shock wave of their landing knocked Kayla off her feet and most of the food off of the table. Danny sprang up seeing this. The pods opened and the first one held a normal looking being. He looked human. He took a few steps out and looked around. He looked right at Kayla and pointed something towards her. "You. Finally. We have no need to stay around here" He said. He motioned for the other with him to get her. Danny rushed over and attacked him. He used bear form. His attack was easily parried with the heavy armor this new being was wearing. "You sub-creature. Don't try and defy me." He shocked Danny badly and tossed him aside.

~Kayla got up and ran but the henchmen was too fast. "Let go of me." She cried.

~"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?" Thomas and Jim both yelled.

~He looked at them and said, "I am prince Kerobun of Galleya. I'm here to retrieve the princesses from the southern kingdom. Get in my way and I will deal with you."

~Without thought Thomas went and attacked him. He could do nothing to him. "Damn you, fight me without that armor."

~Kerobun smiled as he removed it. "Gladly." Thomas and Kerobun were fighting hand to hand. Jennifer was just scared, she didn't know what to do. Jimmy went to help Kayla.

~As things get intense...This chapter ends. Await the next one. I'm a bit behind on scheduel and I hope to get back soon enough. Thanks for reading~