Slide 2:4...4...6...8...damn it! I can't do it, Patrick thought, hitting the end button before completing the call. He had done this seven times already. He shook himself mentally, took a deep breath, and tried again. I can do this! Four four six, eight three nine one...shit it's ringing! Please don't pick up, please don't pick—


Slide 3:"Johnny! Hey, it's me.“ "...?“ "Oh, I mean Patrick Doran.“ "Hey, man! What's up?“ "Heh, actually this is totally lame—” "Nothing you do is lame." This shocked Patrick into silence for a second. "You still there?“ "Um, yeah! Yeah. So I was calling to see if you...maybe...wanted to come over tomorrow? It's my cousins' birthday, and there will be a lot of people so it's clearly not anything important, so—”


Slide 4:"I'd love to!“ "Really? I mean, that's great!“ "Yeah, they're my cousins too. Um, well aunt and uncle too, I guess. Ugh, do you realize just how weird this whole alien probing thing can be?“ "Heh, yeah. We found out that Aunt Chloe is my cousin Ainsley's great niece somehow.“ "Freaky!“ "Yeah. Um...” Patrick had a million things to talk about, but he didn’t want to blow it. "I gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow?“ "Definitely. Bye."


Slide 5:"So you called him?" Cara asked a while later through a mouthful of regular chips. She decided being vegan was too much of a pain, and would stick to plain ol' vegetarian from now on. "Yeah, I did.“ "Dude! Good for you! Crap, this means I owe Fiona ten bucks...is he coming?“ "Yeah, actually.“ "Are you going to kiss him?" she teased. "Doubt it. He said he was coming because it was his cousins' party, too.“ "Bummer."


Slide 6:Across the desert, Jill Smith was marveling at her new teen body. "Boobs! Can you believe it, Johnny?“ she asked him as he walked in. "Ick, don't ever say anything like that to me again.“ "Whatever. What are you doing in here?“ "I need a favor.“ "Of course you do. Judging by those new clothes, I'm guessing you're after a makeover?“ "Yeah, and nobody does hair like you do," he said, buttering her up.


Slide 7:"Aw! So who's the girl?“ Jill asked, getting out her equipment. "Um," he paused. What did he say to that? "Nobody you know," he decided. "Whatever! Just sit back, and I'll take care of everything, OK?“ "Don't make me look like a girl, and if you give me a buzz cut mom will never get over it.“ "Just trust me!"


Slide 8:Johnny showed up at the Doran house the next day sporting a mohawk. Patrick was a little shocked, but he was pleasantly shocked. "Looking good, man! Where'd you get that shirt?“ "Heh, thanks. I picked it up at H&M the other day, trying a new look.“


Slide 9:Now Patrick really was confused. He thought that store was only for girls and metro guys...and Johnny wasn't either. Was he? "And don't even think about starting on the fag jokes, dude," Johnny said, misreading Patrick's expression. "What? Oh, no. I'd never call you that," he said, his face falling a little. Paddy was looking at his shoes, so he didn't realize the other boy had the same expression on his face.


Slide 10:The boys awkwardly made their way outside for the birthday festivities. Everyone cheered as Lucan and Molly stepped up to their cakes...


Slide 11:...Made wishes, blew out candles...


Slide 12:...And grew up. Molly's first thought was I need to change my clothes. Immediately, and I might want to grab some of mom’s hair dye, too. Lucan's was the same, minus the hair dye.


Slide 13:The twins met back up outside a while later. "Luke, wow you look like a serious nerd.“ "Thanks so much. You know, I don't remember your hair being that color twenty minutes ago.“ "Shut up," Molly retorted, but she was smiling. "So, what now? We're older. We can—”


Slide 14:At the same moment, both teens appeared to have been electrocuted. Their eyes snapped shut, their teeth clenched, and their backs arched.


Slide 15:And their eyes changed. "What the hell is going on?! What the heck is this buzzing?!“


Slide 16:"What?!“ "I SAID, WHAT IS THIS BUZZING?“ "I can't hear you! My ears are buzzing!“ "Huh?!“ "LET'S FIND DAD!“ "LET'S FIND UNCLE EIN!“


Slide 17:They raced around the house and yard, then someone kindly told them Ed and Ein were in the living room.


Slide 18:They were locked in each other's eyes, both growling, one yelling. "YOU'RE A CHEATY CHEATER WHO CHEATS, EIN-TWIN!“ "...!" Ein shook his head violently.


Slide 19:"Dad!" Molly shouted, plopping down on the sofa. "Not now, Molly-Wolly, Edward-daddy needs to show Ein-twin who is boss.“ "Dad, seriously! Look at me!“ Edward didn't turn his head, but Ein did. He gasped and smacked Ed with his controller.


Slide 20:"Why are our eyes creepy and grey?" Molly asked at the same time that Lucan whined, "Why are our ears buzzing?“ Ed took a good look at his kids then. "Your earsies are buzzing?“ They nodded, panicky. "Hmm...and your eyeballs are funny...“ "What's wrong with us, Dad?” Lucan wanted to know.


Slide 21:"What do you think, Ein-twin?" Ein pondered for a moment, and then looked at his brother as if he were conveying some sort of message. "Oh! Really really?" Ed asked happily.


Slide 22:"Ugh, Dad, come on. You don't really know what Uncle Ein was thinking,“ Lucan grumbled.


Slide 23:Ein looked at them, and Ed appeared confused. He started grinning at them, as if they were silly for even suggesting that. "Of course Edward can hear Ein twin!“ The twins tried to process this for a moment, but failed. "What?!" they yelled in unison. "Edward can hear your unky Ein! Since we were itty-bitty-babies, even!"


Slide 24:"Seriously? Why did you never tell us?“ Ed shrugged. "You never asked, Lukey.“ Trying to just take this information and move on, Lucan asked, "So what's with us then?“


Slide 25:"Ein-twin thinks you two are gifty-wifted! Like Edward!“ "Gifted how?“ Molly wondered. Ein shrugged. "Ein-twin does not know, but he says we're gonna find out soonishly." Ein poked Ed in the ribs. "Oh, and he also says to takey some pillsy-wills for the headaches if the bee-buzzing hurts. He can prescribey you some."


Slide 26:Cara found herself at the top of the stairs a few minutes later; Her mom had sent her up here looking for Fiona and Ainsley. She yelped as she bumped into a blue guy in a green shirt. A very hot blue guy in a green shirt. "Sorry!" she said, mortified. "No, I'm sorry! I was up here looking for a bathroom, did you know your house is huge?“


Slide 27:"Heh, heh, I guess...“ The boy grinned at her. "I'm Clyde," he said. Clyde? Where do I know that name from? "Oh! You're Aunt Chloe's half-nephew or whatever, right?“ "Ha, I guess I am. Nice to meet you...?“ "Cara. I'm Cara.“


Slide 28:“So, Cara, just to be clear before I hit on you…we’re not related, right?” “…Right.” “Well, then…it’s nice to meet you Cara,” he breathed. She swooned. I'm swooning? What the hell? "Um...“ "Yes?"


Slide 29:"I was just looking for my kid sister, but after that...you up for a game of Marco Polo?“ He laughed. "You're on."


Slide 30:While the rest of the party hung out by the pool (and in the case of Molly and Lucan, totally freaked out) Johnny and Patrick were out at the family's mini soccer field, having a shoot out. "You ready?" Patrick called. "Give me your best shot!"


Slide 31:Unfortunately, Patrick's best shot was a lot better than John Smith had anticipated. He dove for the ball, but missed and landed on his shoulder. Hard.


Slide 32:"Johnny...!“ Paddy exclaimed under his breath as he heard the other boy’s howl of pain.


Slide 33:Patrick dashed to his friend's side, trying not to panic. "Are you OK?!“ "Ouch...yeah, but—” "What?“ "Come here and take a look at my shoulder, would you? I think I heard a pop.“ "Sure," Patrick agreed, kneeling down.


Slide 34:When Johnny pushed him down, Patrick was still unsure what was happening. For a split second, the other blonde looked down into his eyes, and apparently found what he was looking for. With a sigh, Johnny's mouth came down on his, and the kiss was possibly the most awkward thing Patrick had ever experienced. It was also the most...glorious. Wonderful. Amazing. Sensual. The kisses became rougher and rougher, and Patrick clenched Johnny's jacket in his fist…


Slide 35:They rolled, and the Doran was now in control. Through the kisses, the other one grinned. He wasn't sure this would be OK, but the way Patrick's hand was making its way down his back was certainly comforting.


Slide 36:Even though they realized someone could see them at any moment, it was a while before they could pry themselves away from each other. When they did, Patrick stroked Johnny's cheek and murmured, "I know that's a sunburn, but I'm going to pretend it's a blush from my kissing expertise.“ "Heh, whatever. You guys have any aloe?“ "Uh huh, come on. I'll help you with your back," Patrick said, winking. Thank you, Plumbob, he thought reverently.


Slide 37:"Damn, Cara. When you told me your little sister was more energetic than a llama mascot on speed, I thought you were just being funny.“ “Nope, I wasn’t! Fiona is...well, she really likes to play."


Slide 38:"No joke! That had to be the longest game of Marco Polo ever. We should call the people who do the world records and stuff.“ "Yeah, maybe." Cara was distracted. She loved her sister, and swimming with Clyde all day had been fun...but she wanted him alone. "What's with the sad face?“ "I'm trying to figure out how to do this. I never have, you know.“ “I…do what, exactly?“


Slide 39:Where her brother's first kiss had been stolen from him (not that he objected) Cara’s happened by her choice and sheer determination to do something with this boy. The kiss was sweet, easy. Their lips brushed only for a moment, but it was the best thing either of them had experienced yet.


Slide 40:Cara pulled away, blushing, but Clyde had another idea. Crushing her to his chest, he mumbled, "I think I love you. Already. Does that make me a creep?“ "I don't know, does it make me weird if I say I feel the same way?"


Slide 41:The following morning, Patrick hugged his shiny new boyfriend goodbye. "Ow! Go easy on me, dude. Sunburn.“ "Oh, right," Patrick nodded. He then squeezed harder. "Hey!“ "You can't blame me for not wanting to let you go.“ The other boy considered that. "No, but I've been here all night. I've got to go home and change," he paused, smirking where Paddy couldn't see. "What would the neighbors think?!" Johnny asked in mock horror. "Fine, fine go," Patrick agreed with a sigh.


Slide 42:Patrick turned to see his father playing chess. He pulled out the chair and asked, "Mind if I join you?“ "...“ "What's that look for, Dad?" Ein had raised his eyebrows high above the rim of his glasses, making them almost invisible in his hair. "Well?" Ein looked pointedly at the door Johnny had just gone out of. "He stayed the night, I thought that was cool? Mom said he could.“ Ein shrugged, and concentrated on moving his bishop. He tried very, very hard not to think that maybe letting Johnny Smith stay the night was a bad idea. He attempted not to let his mind wander to the fact that Patrick was—” "Geez, Dad, don't give yourself a brain hemorrhage," Patrick laughed as he watched Ein's face turn red.


Slide 43:"Fiona, as much as I'd like to read your story, I have more important things to do this morning.“ Fee pouted. What's better than reading my story...? "I'm sorry, kid. I've got to go to the library and see if there's anything that can help me figure out what the heck this 'gift' thing is.“ Fiona cocked her head to the side, and murmured, "Nobody goes to the library except old people.“ "That's not true, and I'm not old, you little punk! I—”


Slide 44:Molly’s back straightened in an instant and her eyes glazed over. Fiona tugged on her pajama top, but the taller girl didn't budge. Fiona tried again, but still nothing.


Slide 45:Without a word to her cousin, Molly ran from the younger girls' room, across the hall, and into her own. It wasn't a conscious decision, but she headed straight for her easel.


Slide 46:With the same blank expression, her eyes a million miles away, he picked up her brush, dipped it in paint, and touched it to the canvas. For hours, she painted without a break.


Slide 47:When she finished, Molly stared at the fuzzy portrait, her eyes finally in the same room again. "Who the heck are you?" she wondered. She stared at the young woman's face. Is that...is that my nose? Dad's nose...?


Slide 48:"Hey, Molly-Wolly!" Ed said as he danced into his daughter's room. "Chloe-Chloe wants to know if you need her to wash any—”


Slide 49:He froze. "...Why is there a painty-picture of Edward's great-gramma on your easily-weasel?"


Slide 50:Molly's jaw dropped. "You know who this is?! HOW? I've been sitting in here all freaking day trying to figure it out!“ "Geez, Molly-kid, didn't you recognize the nosie?“ "...How did you know?“ "Edward-daddy knows lots of stuff. “ "But my great-great-grandmother...Dad, how did I paint a portrait of her when I didn't even know she existed? Do you know that?“ "No..."


Slide 51:"It was so weird, I guess I sort of went into this trance, and it was like...gravity moves…and then when I snapped out of it...I found this.“ "It's gotta be your gifty, Molly-Wolly!“ "What, like I'm a psychic but backwards? What good is seeing things that have already happened?“ "Um...now we have a pretty-painty-portrait of Gramma Carli?“ "Whatever, this is lame. I thought I would be able to do something cool!“ Edward frowned. "This is cool, Molly-kid. Be gratie-ful that you can do anything with the elfy blood all watered down like this!“ "I guess."


Slide 52:Lucan had his head in the trash compactor, trying to figure out how it worked. His mother had insisted he fix it, and though he whined about it at the time, Luke didn't mind at all. He liked playing with this sort of thing. "I wonder what would happen if I shoved this screwdriver in th—OW! OK, not doing that again."


Slide 53:Fast as lightning, Lucan shot up. He clenched the screwdriver in his hand as his head swam with colors. They bled together, but became clearer almost instantly. And then he could hear sounds. Moaning. Moaning?


Slide 55:His eyes ripped open. "Oh my PLUMBOB!" Lucan shouted, dropping the screwdriver. "What the—? Why did I just see—? And what do they think they're doing, it's the middle of the day! UGH,” he added when there were giggles from the room across the hall, obviously belonging to his parents.


Slide 56:He picked up the tool and bent over to work on the trash compactor again, trying very, very hard to block out such a painful memory. He failed. What if they get pregnant again?! Damn it, I can't handle another sibling; Molly and Ainsley are bad enough! We don't need any extra babies around h—


Slide 57:The second vision was longer than the first. As Lucan's eyes glued themselves shut, his mind was somewhere very far away…


Slide 61:"For fucks sake," he growled when he could open his eyes again. He shoved the compactor closed, threw the screwdriver on the counter, and went to grab a big sheet of paper.


Slide 62:He had no idea who the redheaded twins in his mind were, but at least one of them had elf ears, so it had to be a little important. He needed to record this, and quickly before he forgot. Lucan was hardly qualified to draw stick figures, definitely not an accomplished artist. He did his best, though, and after a while the blobs started to look sort of like people-blobs. When he finished he dashed upstairs and hastily taped it to his bedroom wall. Not a minute later, the garage door slid shut signaling the return of…


Slide 63:"Uncle Ein! I...I need to show you something! I think I figured out what my gift is!" Lucan said quickly. Ein looked at him, and nodded as if he wanted the teen to elaborate. Lucan grimaced, but said, "Well...first I saw my mom and dad 'hooing..." Ein had to bite his lip almost to the point of drawing blood to stop a hysterical snort from coming out. "It was awful! But then I came to, and I could hear them upstairs. So...I figured I either had x-ray vision, or just visions, you know?" Ein cocked his head to the side to consider, but Lucan wasn't done. "And then I saw something else, and now I'm sure it's just regular ol' visions. I've never seen these people before...but I drew it, just in case you had. Come on!"


Slide 64:Ein stared at the drawing for a minute, deciphering the blobs, but then it was all too clear to him. I see you managed to hide after all, Liadán. And it was twins, how wonderful…though the general doesn't seem to be too pleased. I know you'll figure something out. "So? What do you think it means?" Lucan asked from behind. Ein turned around to face his nephew and shrugged. It was obvious that Lucan could See the present, but presently Liadán was on the run from elves. Ein wasn't going to give her away.


Slide 65:Circe stomped down the stone steps to the basement with a grimace on her face. She hated it down here, especially when it meant she had to talk to Nervous. "Hey! Subject! It's trash day, so get the bag out of your bin and give—”


Slide 66:Circe dropped the bag, spilling its' contents all over the floor. "No! CRAP! Where the hell did he go?!" she shouted once she fully noticed the empty room. She turned toward the stairs and yelled up, "LOKI! LOKI, THE SUBJECT IS M.I.A.!“ She crouched down and quickly threw the garbage back into her plastic bag, and dashed up the steps.


Slide 67:"What was that, my dumpling?" Loki asked, appearing before her with, of course, a take-out box in hand. "Nervous is gone! Unless…unless he was with you?“ "No indeed, I was just having a light afternoon snack with my precious machine.“ "Well damn!"


Slide 68:"Didn't he leave a note?" Loki asked, his face contorting into a pout. "Um...no.“ The blond sighed. "After all our years together—after all we've done for him!—and he just leaves without saying goodbye? It's cruel, cruel!“ “…Yeah. Well I’m going to go call Erin and see if he might be with her.”


Slide 69:"Woo, yay! Happy birthday, kiddies!“ In fact Nervous was not with Erin, or any of the Dorans for that matter. Cara and Patrick’s boyfriends, yes, but not Nervous Subject. Erin had not heard from him since that day, and she didn’t expect to. While Erin fretted over this, everyone else was enjoying what they hoped would be the last birthday in the family for a long time.


Slide 70:Fiona and Molly stepped up to their cakes and made wishes, followed by a little transitional dance and a mad dash to the house before anyone could register what horrible clothes they grew into.


Slide 71:Fiona watched herself swish back and forth in the mirror. She was looking for something, and it wasn't there. "How come you filled out, Aine, but I still look like a boy?“ "Just lucky, I guess," Ainsley bragged, but at a glare from Fee she grinned. "Oh, don't be silly. Nobody thinks you look like a boy.“ Fiona smiled at her best friend, but continued to stare at the reflection, waiting for boobs or something to show up.


Slide 72:Like her brother and sister, Ainsley Doran's eyes took on a silvery hue just moments after she blew out the candles. She was prepared for the buzzing (and she knew she probably had some sort of gift, too) so it wasn't at all scary like it had been for Molly and Lucan. Peering around Fiona, Ainsley checked out her outfit. "You know, I think I'm going to take this jumper back and get the pink one. What do you think, Fee?“ Fiona shrugged.


Slide 73:Ainsley gasped, and at first her cousin thought she'd offended her. Fiona turned to apologize, but it was soon evident that "feelings" weren't the problem. "AINE!"


Slide 74:She was on the floor, on her knees. Ainsley rocked back and forth, groaning and mumbling. And then...then she screamed.


Slide 76:The bright, horrible scene made her head spin, and she very nearly toppled over. She closed her eyes, willing it to go away. Another cry ripped its way up Ainsley's throat.


Slide 79:She wheezed, and almost fell flat on her face when the most horrible shriek burst through her clenched teeth.


Slide 81:Fiona yanked her friend off the ground and threw her arms around her. Ainsley was shaking uncontrollably, and the sobs sounded like they were threatening to tear her up from the inside out. "Aine, Aine, tell me...tell me what it is!“ The black-haired one only shook her head and, in an impossible turn of events, bawled louder.


Slide 82:By then, the rest of the family had piled into Ed and Chloe's room. They had heard the screaming, though it was impossible that anyone in Strangetown had not. Everyone shouted their questions at once, though some of them were more relevant than others. "What happened?“ "Is she OK?“ "Why are you in my room?“ "Is she dying?“ "Did you get in a fight?“ "Should I call an ambulance?


Slide 83:Edward moved over to his daughter, who once again was kneeling on the floor. Fiona tried to explain what had happened to a panicked Chloe without making much progress, because she didn't actually know either. "You have no idea why she's crying, Fiona?“ The teenager shook her head violently, and gestured at Ainsley. "No! She just keeps saying 'my fault' and 'dead', but I don't know why!"


Slide 84:Had she been saying that out loud? "Crap," she whimpered, curling into her father's arms. "Ainey-wainey, what is the matter?! Edward is worried!“ "Don't...worry...!" the girl said between sobs. Ed patted her back, and went into father mode. "Whatever it is, Aine, we'll fix it. I won't let anything hurt you, ever. " He lifted her chin and stared into her grey eyes. He winked. "Edward-daddy promisy-womises!“ She couldn't help but laugh at her father for a minute, but only too soon the visions of her dead family filled her mind again. First, what bothered her the most was that she wasn't among them. Second...she would never trust Nervous Subject again.


Slide 85:It had been a long road, but Nervous was at the entrance to the North Forest at last. Unfortunately, the entrance to the North Forest was an absolutely huge door in an obnoxiously thick, high wall. "...Should I knock?“ "You there!" someone called from above.


Slide 86:Nervous looked up and saw that the person who had shouted was an Elf Guard, and he was looking none too pleased. "Stop! He who would enter into the North Forest must answer me these questions three, ere the other side he see!" Nervous took a deep breath. "Ask me the questions, gatekeeper. I am not afraid." "What... is your name?" "M-my name is uh...Nervous Subject of Strangetown." "What... is your quest?"


Slide 87:"To seek the Holy Grail." “…Wait, really?“ "No, I'm here to talk to the Council of Elders.“ "Oh, OK got it. Ahem! What... is your favourite color?" “Green." "Right then! Go on, off you go."


Slide 88:Nervous pressed himself against the huge wooden doors as the creaked open, ready to squeeze through as soon as he could. Patience was not his strong point.


Slide 89:Once through, the Reaper Child only knew to head toward the "big white building with the blue roof" but nothing more. He wandered through the massive forest for ten minutes before he found a trail that looked almost promising.


Slide 90:He passed by a young couple, and asked them for directions. They were clearly too occupied to say anything, but the boy pointed down the opposite way, the way Nervous had come. "Damn."


Slide 91:Eventually he found it, but his patience was to be tested yet again. A little girl had greeted him at the huge golden doors and told him to wait. He waited. Waited and twitched, for what seemed like hours. It probably was hours, but Elves didn't gauge time quite like humans.


Slide 92:When she came back for him she said, "My lords and ladies are ready for you, if you'll follow me Mr. Subject?“ And she led him down the marble hallway to the presence chamber.


Slide 93:The Elders were gathered there, but as he went in, Nervous found himself scratching his head in confusion. These are Elders? he wondered. They all look my age!


Slide 94:"Mr. Subject, what an honor it is to have you in our humble realm. My name is Máire, and this is Yew," she said gesturing first to herself and then to the blond beside her. Máire spoke using a tone which suggested that she was trying very hard to cover up poor breeding. While clearly the leader, Nervous was not sure if she was so because she was a raving lunatic and everyone feared her, or if she was actually respected for her morals. He was leaning toward the first alternative. "Um...thanks," he finally replied. Yew tried to smile at him, but it came out more like a grimace. "We understand you have some information for us. Information on the criminal Doran family, perhaps? Information which some people ought to have found before but couldn't because they are useless buffoons?!"


Slide 95:The last bit was clearly for Saoirse the Seer. She hid her face in her hands, and the elf to her left gave her a pat on the back. "It's not so bad, Seer! At least they're not going to murder you, right?" he whispered. She groaned. "Quiet, Saoirse!" Yew growled from behind. "Mr. Subject, please proceed."


Slide 96:Nervous took a deep breath, and looked at his feet the entire time he spoke. He told them everything. The house. The children. The machine. The Grunts.


Slide 97:"WHAT?!" Saoirse didn't like what Nervous said about Liadán. She didn't like it at all. The Senior Elders behind her chuckled. "How is this funny? She lied to me, she lied to us all! She must be punished!"


Slide 98:"Perhaps, or maybe we should off you instead? It is after all your fault for all of this. If you weren't so old, you might have Seen everything you were supposed to. Maybe you are no longer useful?“ "N-no!“ "Oh relax, Saoirse," Ioan muttered from down the line. "She's just trying to get a rise out of you.“


Slide 99:Máire, turned back to Nervous. "Now, sir, was there anything else you wished to tell us?“ "Not really, but...“ "Yes?“ "Erin will be safe, right? You're just going to capture the others? She's innocent.“ The elf smirked at him before turning to Yew.


Slide 100:“What do you think?” she inquired. “I’ll leave It for you to decide.” The male pretended to think about it for a few minutes, pretended to weight the options of good vs. evil.


Slide 101:He decided too quickly for comfort. “The following…people are confirmed blood traitors to the Elves of the North Forest, and they will be persecuted as such. They are: Edward Doran, Chloe Doran, Molly Doran, Lucan Doran, Ainsley Doran, Cara Doran, Patrick Doran, Fiona Doran, Ein Doran….and Erin Doran.”


Slide 102:"You can't do that, you can't hurt her! She's innocent! You can't—” "I'm sorry, Mr. Subject, for the impending loss of a woman you love so dearly.“ “NO! But—” "As a reward for your help, we will be happy to—” "I don't want anything from you!" Nervous shouted, angry now.


Slide 103:Nervous flew down the marble hallway, burst through the doors, and sprinted through the thick woods toward the gate. He never looked back to see if they were following him.


Slide 104:"I was wondering when you were going to wake up..." Fiona said. She was sitting on her bed, still in her nightgown. She had her red hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and her eyes were frantic. "What's the matter, Fee?" Ainsley asked. She started to get up, but it made her feel dizzy. She looked out the window, and as she did, she noticed that the sun was coming in at a very strange angle, almost like it was late afternoon. "What time is it?“ "Three thirty.“ So it was late afternoon. "How long have I been asleep?“ "Almost fourteen hours, but you needed it bad. You kept me up all night with the talking, but I don't mind really. I'm worried about you, I've been sitting in here all day pretty much, keeping an eye on you."


Slide 105:Ainsley grumbled as she got up and went to throw on some clothes. "You don't need to watch me, Fee. I'm not a baby.“ "No, but you completely lost it last night. You're my best friend and you're family, Aine," Fiona explained as she routed through her hamper. Unlike Ainsley, Fee never bothered to actually fold her laundry. "You're talkative today," Ainsley noted. "Like I said, worried."


Slide 106:"You bought me the pink jumper?" asked the half-alien a few minutes later, motioning toward the pink and purple outfit she found in the wardrobe. "Um, well not technically. I bet Paddy I could more than double his high score on FIFA, and if he lost he had to go out and buy your new clothes. As you can see, I won," Fee said, beaming. "Thanks, that was really nice of you. I love it!” "Good, because we're going out.“ "Huh?"


Slide 107:"Paddy bet me that you would wake up before four, and if I lost we all had to go downtown with him tonight. So um, it's kinda your fault?“ "Fee, I really don't feel up to socializing at the moment.“ "You think I do? You're probably the only person I can have an actual conversation with, everyone else I clam up.“ "See?! We should just tell them that we don't want—” "BUT! I'm not going to sit around here all night and watch you depress yourself even more. I don't know what you "saw" last night, but it's not your fault.“ "B—” "Nope, not getting out if it. Let's go!"


Slide 108:"Guuuuys, where are we actually going?" Lucan asked from the back of the group. Molly shrugged. "I dunno, I've never been downtown without Mom and Dad before. Cara? Any ideas?“ "I think the club is just one more block up, but I can't be sure. The last time we were downtown, Paddy had a sexual emergency," she replied, cracking up at the end. Everyone joined in, and Patrick scowled. "Don't call it a sexual emergency, that sounds majorly creepy.“ Ainsley and Fiona shared a glance, and broke into muted giggles.


Slide 109:They found the place a few minutes later, but when they arrived they were missing some guests; Clyde and Johnny were supposed to meet them there. Patrick gave them 5 minutes, then called. "Johnny, hey. Are you still coming tonight?“ "Yeah, I am. Sorry, I know I'm always running late.“ "No big deal. Is Clyde with you?“ "No, I went by his house to pick him up but he wasn't there. You want me to try again? I just left the neighborhood."


Slide 110:“Uh…no, never mind. Clyde just showed up,” Patrick said with a groan. “Hah, I know that tone. Are they making out right there in the street again?” “Yup. We’re not that bad, are we?” “…” “Yeah, I guess we are. See you in a bit.”


Slide 111:"Oh, hey Johnny, dude!" Cara said happily 10 minutes later. "Man, I am starving, and I hear they've got killer veggie burgers in this place so can we..." She paused when she noticed Fiona staring at her. "What, Fee?“ "Are you aware of the irony in that statement?“ "Um...nope. Don't care. Hungry!"


Slide 112:"Hello, my name is Joy and I'll be your server for this evening! Can I start you all off with some drinks, which I won't refill ever because you're a bunch of teenagers who won't tip me?“ "What was that?” "Er, can I take your order?“ Cara cleared her throat. "Well I will have one of your killer veggie burgers, please," she said before sticking her tongue out at her baby sister.


Slide 113:Just after whisperings something disgustingly mushy in his boyfriend's ear, Patrick blew him a kiss. Johnny “caught” it, blushing from his cheeks to his toes.


Slide 114:Molly gagged. "Guys, promise me you'll shoot me if I'm ever that sappy with any of my boyfriends, OK?"


Slide 115:"Me too," Lucan agreed. Fiona gaped at him. "What?“ "Don't you mean girlfriends, Lukey?“ "What? No, I mean yeah! Yeah, that's what I meant. But not like um…"


Slide 116:"Wait, so you do or do not like boys?“ Clyde wanted to know. “No, I like girls, too!” Lucan retorted, then smacked his forehead. “That came out wrong!” “Nothing wrong with being bisexual, dude. So which is it?” "I...don't feel like that question deserves an answer.“ Cara suddenly found her water fascinating. She concentrated on the condensation, trying not to go into a fit of hysterical laughter. If Lucan was gay too, that meant all 6 of the Doran kids liked boys. A small giggle escaped her. Lucan frantically searched for a change of subject, but the food arrived right on cue.


Slide 117:The question of Lucan's sexuality was still unanswered when the kids went back down into the club for some dancing. The question of Lucan's insanity was confirmed when he began dancing rather suggestively with a "mature" woman named Denise.


Slide 118:"Why did you never tell me you could dance so well?" Patrick wondered aloud, breathless. "I didn't think I had to. According to you, I can do everything well," Johnny answered with a leer. Patrick took a step closer. Cara looked over Clyde's shoulder at the boys, and rolled her eyes. "See? And they say we're bad."


Slide 119:Ainsley was having a hard time. She was a pro at ballet, and jazz she could do...but this? Whatever this was? She had no idea what to do. "Aine, this isn't a rowing competition.“ "What the heck am I supposed to do with my arms, then?“ "I dunno, how about ''raise 'em in the air like you just don't care'' or however that song goes...?“ "How about I get off the dance floor before I break good pirouette leg? I'm getting a drink, want one?“ "Sure."


Slide 120:Ainsley turned around to head to the bar, but stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of a familiar black mohawk dancing with Molly. She screeched, “NERVOUS!” and pushed the man into her sister.


Slide 121:Not even considering the idea of stopping to think further than that, Ainsley bolted.


Slide 122:"Ow! Ainsley, what the hell?!" Molly shouted after her. "Who's Nervous?“ "...Aine?“


Slide 123:It took the cousins and siblings about 5 seconds to register what Ainsley had done, and then almost zero time to decide that they should probably go after her. “AINSLEY!” “Wait for us! “Where are you going?!”


Slide 124:Ainsley only had a tiny head start, but it was enough of one that the others had to wait for the stupid automatic doors to reopen before they could follow her out.


Slide 125:Not wanting to be rude, Molly spun around to face her dancing partner. He was still staring after the other girl, trying to figure out what he'd done wrong. "Hey, it's Nerman, right? I had a great time dancing with you, but I think my sister thinks you're a serial killer...or something...and I gotta go. See ya!"


Slide 126:"Ainsley, you little brat! That guy was totally hot! WAIT UP!!!“ Nerman Subner shrugged, and then noticed how those kids had seriously filled up the place before. It was all but empty.


Slide 127:They managed to keep up with her, though Ainsley ignored them all as they ran the 10 blocks back home. At least they had seen her home safely. It was a lot like herding sheep, Fiona would later explain. Only there was only one sheep and a few too many Bo Peeps.


Slide 128:Aine got away from them on the stairs; they all fell on top of each other as they tried to catch her. She ran straight into her bedroom, turn on her heel, and slammed the door so hard it made the house shudder.


Slide 129:As the lock clicked into place, she felt the satisfaction of safety and peace. She placed her palm on the door, steadying herself. "OPEN UP, AINSLEY! Great. "No.“ "AINE! LET ME IN RIGHT NOW! THAT'S MY ROOM, TOO!“ Fiona's fists pounded on the door. "Please!" she begged, banging louder. "...“ Fiona let out a heavy, frustrated sigh. "She's not coming out. Let's go get up Uncle Ed if he isn't awake already," Ainsley heard her say to the others. She listened to their footsteps as they retreated down the stairs.


Slide 130:She slumped to the floor, and curled her arms around her knees. Finally alone, Ainsley went to pieces.


Slide 131:As soon as the others informed Ed of the situation, he quarantined them to the living room. "I don't get why Dad won't let us go up and help him.“ "Dunno, maybe it had something to do with the fact that you told him his 'whiney brat of a daughter was crying her eyes out'...you think? Tactful of you, sister dear.“ "Whatever. She's been totally depressed since her party last night, but she still won't tell us why and it's pissing me off!“ "Maybe...do you think maybe she saw something, like we did? Only it wasn't so cool?“ "Who knows.“


Slide 132:The twins sat in silence for a few minutes after that, trying to ignore the gooey couples on either side of them. "Twenty bucks says Cara and Clyde make out withing the next 5 minutes," Molly whispered. "You're on!


Slide 133:"I can give you very good odds on Johnny and Paddy doing the same in 10. What do you say...fifteen bucks?“ "Make it another twenty.“ "You know, I feel guilty taking your money like this.“ "You wish."


Slide 134:Edward paused outside the bedroom door. He knew she would have heard his approach, but he knocked anyway. Softly. "Ainey-wainey...?“ "...Hi, Dad.“ "You really worried everybody down there, what's going on with Edward's favorite spawnlet?“ She couldn't help it when the corner of her mouth twitched up to form a miniature smile. "I'm your only spawnlet, Dad. That you carried, anyway.“ "That's why you're my favorite! Molly is grouchy like Chloe-Chloe, and Lukey is nerdy like Ein-twin, but Ainey-Wainey is always lots of fun…like Edward! You're not allowed to be sad, kidlet.”


Slide 135:"...“ "Will you let me in?“ "...Are you going to tickle me?“ "...Probly.“ "No tickling, Dad. I mean it.“ "Okie dokie..."


Slide 136:As soon as the door was open, Ed pulled Ainsley in for a tight hug. "Love you, Ainey-Wainey.” "I know, Dad. Me too.“ “Now you gotta go downstairs and say sorry to everybody for making them run over a mile to get home.” “But Dad—” “Don’t makey me tickly you,” he threatened. She pulled away in defense. “OK, I’ll go.”


Slide 137:"Aine!” Molly whispered when the younger girl walked in. “Hey, guess what! Lucan owes me forty bucks!" Molly giggled, pointing one finger at the couple on the left, and one at the couple on the right. Both had their lips apparently adhered with super glue. "Congrats. Um…guys, I'm so sorry.“ "Me too, I shouldn't have been so mean," Molly muttered. "I was just mad because you pulled me away from that smoking hot college student, and then you made me ruin my good stilettos running all that way!“ "Sorry," Ainsley mumbled again. "No harm done, I'm going to buy a new pair with the money I won tonight. So...how are you?"


Slide 138:"Fine. I just, uh...I had a meltdown because I couldn't get the hang of dancing like that. No big deal, really. You guys didn't need to follow me or anything.“ "Is that really all?“ "Yep.“ "Oh...me and Luke thought maybe you had a gift like us. Maybe if you saw the future, we'd have everything covered!“ Ainsley nodded weakly, and went up to her bedroom.


Slide 139:She found that Fee was already there, reading a much abused copy of Wuthering Sims. Ainsley threw on her leotard and went to the barre. It was the only way of calming herself down completely. "I heard what you said down there, Aine.“ “About what?“ "You weren't upset about the dancing and you know it.“ "Prove it.“ "I can't, but I'm your best friend. There is something you’re not telling me, and I don’t like it at all.” "I’m sorry,” Ainsley said, not bothering to deny it.


Slide 140:The journey home from the North Forest seemed a lot longer than it had been on the way there, but perhaps that was because Nervous was so anxious to return. His plan with the elves had seriously backfired; all he wanted was for Ein to be taken out of Erin's life. Then, Nervous would have been there to comfort her, and they would maybe get married one day. A few kids, maybe grandkids… But now Erin's life was in danger, and Nervous Subject had a new plan. You can do this, Nervous. Just up the stairs, hang a left, open the door, and steal--


Slide 141:"Where the HELL have you BEEN?!“ Circe was waiting for him in the entrance hall, and to call her irritated would be a massive understatement. Nervous rolled his eyes at her. If his recent activities had done anything, they had given him much more of a backbone than he ever expected to have. "Away on business.” "Did Loki or I authorize your absence? NO! Do you think it is OK for you to just go off whenever—”


Slide 142:"Where are you going?!” "My room," he lied, walking straight past her. "If that's OK with you?“ "Wha—? No it is not OK! SUBJECT! Come back her at once!" Circe ordered in vain.


Slide 143:"He's never absolutely disobeyed a direct order from me before," she pouted. “Dear Plumbob, what is this world coming to?”


Slide 144:Circe's laboratory was on the second floor of the Beaker mansion, third door on the left. Nervous pushed the door open slowly, and moved almost silently into the room.


Slide 145:He thought she might have hidden the thing, but she hadn't. Circe's completed virus was only three feet away from Nervous' sticky fingers, with what he thought was only a fragile looking tank protecting it.


Slide 146:He was right. The tank was fragile. Handling the glass bottle carefully, Nervous snuck back down to the basement. He left the ‘drip, drip, dripping’ of the container’s fluid for someone else to clean up. He had a phone call to make.


Slide 147:"Hello?“ "E-Erin! You're still alive!“ Erin gasped. "Nervous? Of course I'm still alive, what are you talking about? I should be saying that to you! Where have you been the past few weeks?!"


Slide 148:"Well—"


Slide 149:"You know, I was thinking that maybe I was too hard on you before. You were just being honest with me, and I got defensive. Things didn't have to go that way, and I'm really sorry.“ "It doesn't even matter anymore. Erin, listen to me. You have to take your family and run, run immediately, because—” "Are you serious? Why would we have to run?“ "It's for your own good, I swear. You've been found out.“ "But that's impossible, is this a sick joke or something? I said I was sorry, Nervy, and I am, but this is my family you're messing with, and—”


Slide 150:"It's not a joke!“ "How would they find us? Ein got rid of the Grunts ages ago, and you, Loki, and Circe are the only other ones who know about us. Not even the kids' boyfriends have any idea what sort of family they're involved with, so if it wasn't you three...who could have possibly told on us?“ Nervous didn’t answer. "Well?“ "It was me.” On the other line, it was Erin’s turn to be silent. "I'm sorry, it was a huge mistake and now you're all in danger, but I’m hoping I can at least get you out before I lose the one thing I…it doesn’t matter. The point is, before I got involved the Elves probably would have just captured you all, but now...“ "Now?”


Slide 151:"...Now I think they're going to kill you.“ ...they're going to kill you... ...they're going to kill you... ...they're going to kill you... I can’t let that happen!


Slide 152:Erin plowed into her son in her hurry to get out of the kitchen. "Whoa, mom, where's the fire?!“ "I'm sorry, Paddy, I just need..." She couldn't finish, she just flailed her hands about uselessly.


Slide 153:"Need what? M-mom? Are you crying? Don‘t.“ "No, I'm not," she said, wiping away the evidence. "Patrick, you need to do me a favor. Go round up your sisters and your cousins, and see if you can get them, Chloe, and Ed all in the front room. Like right now, OK? Can you do that for me?“ "S-sure, Mom. Whatever you need," he agreed. "Thanks, kid," Erin said with an obviously false smile.


Slide 154:At Erin's approach, Ein's face automatically broke into a wide grin. The grin was immediately replaced with an expression of concern as he noticed that she was crying.


Slide 155:He pulled her to him, and stroked her hair. "I love you," he whispered. "It's OK.“ "No, no it isn't OK," she sobbed into his chest. “Not even close.”


Slide 156:"Did Erin-person say what this was all about, Paddy-cake?“ "No, but she seemed pretty upset," Patrick answered, making a face at Ed's name for him. 'Paddy-cake' would never have been his first choice. Ed nodded, and looked across the room to where his youngest child stood, staring out the window.


Slide 157:Ainsley hadn't said a word since agreeing to come and wait for Erin with her cousins. She stared at the clouds outside as they rolled in, thinking that rain would be the perfect complement to this horrible day. She knew what was coming, of course, but had no idea how to stop it. They’re all going to die, and I have to watch.


Slide 158:Everyone turned around to see Ein and Erin approach. Chloe was the first to speak, of course. "What's this all about, guys? You're freaking us all out a little.”


Slide 159:"I'm sorry, Chlo. We're pretty freaked out ourselves," she murmured, grasping her husband's hand for support. She looked out at the faces of her family, and bit back the tears. She explained, "We all have to leave. Right now."


Slide 160:"Are you kidding? Why in the world would we do that?" Cara complained. "Without even packing or anything?“ "That's right. I'm so sorry...“ "Why?! Why do we have to?"


Slide 161:They all listened closely, Ainsley especially though she thought she knew what was coming. "Because the Elves have located us, and if we value our lives we need to escape before they get here.“ Surprised, Aine felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while. The replayed Erin’s words in her head. That was a lot better than, "We're all going to be brutally murdered, except Ainsley, because Nervous Subject is a lunatic."


Slide 162:Fiona fidgeted nervously. Her brother refused to believe any of this. "You...you're lying, right mom? What about college? What about JOHNNY? Am I supposed to just leave him? We have to just forget all about our lives and leave?!" Erin's tears started to flow again. "If you don't forget about your life here, you won't have one at all...“ "UGH! This is ridiculous, I can't believe what I'm hearing!"


Slide 163:Molly and Lucan hadn't said anything at all. They were too busy watching their younger sister, for she wasn't making a peep either. They held hands, and looked at her softly. They noticed she looked almost sheepish. Lucan almost smiled at her. "You do have visions, don't you?“ She nodded. "You knew this would happen all along, right? That's why you've been so out of it, right?" Molly asked in a kind voice.


Slide 164:"Not exactly, or at least I don't think so. I think I saw what would happen if we didn't leave, maybe, so um...we should probably get a move on.“ Her twin siblings nodded, resigned.


Slide 165:Fiona was resigned as well, but she mostly just wanted to kick herself for not seeing it sooner. This was her best friend, having visions of potentially dead people, and she hadn't been there to help.


Slide 166:Patrick, on the other hand, was the furthest thing from acceptance. "NO! Ainsley, tell them you're making it all up. Mom! Please, please say this is a joke! I can't leave him, I don't know if I can...if I can..." The hot, angry tears streamed down his face as he tried to find the ending to his sentence.


Slide 167:"Calm down, Paddy. Maybe we'll see Johnny and Clyde again, and Plumbob I hope we do...but we have to leave. Ainsley has seen it, Mom has it from some random source, and we have to save our lives. We're probably saving our boyfriends' lives too, bro.“ "But—” "Come on, time to leave."


Slide 168:'Don't kid yourself' you said to me, 'We'll pack our bags but never leave this room‘ We'll never leave this room


Slide 169:What happened to our plans, our dreams? We buried them on this small stream too soon, Too soon


Slide 170:I know you're scared, but so am I If we never leave then we'll never try


Slide 171: You and I need to know what we were, Hand in hand as unbreakable as stone You and I, we won't get pulled under When the waves crash down we'll stay afloat


Slide 172:You and I need to know we'll make it, Sailing out of this god forsaken town Before this ship goes down


Slide 173:Let's take a chance and leave tonight, Believe me dear we'll be alright, its true We'll be alright, it's true Turn the key and take the wheel, No looking back this time it's real with you, yeah With you I know you're scared but so am I, If we never leave then we'll never try


Slide 174:You and I need to know what we were, Hand in hand as unbreakable as stone You and I we won't get pulled under When the waves crash down we'll stay afloat You and I need to know we'll make it, Sailing out of this god forsaken town Before this ship goes down We won't go down


Slide 175:This time it's now or never, Forget the map we've got each other We won't go down This time it's now or never, Let's leave this place forever I know you're scared but so am I


Slide 176:You and I need to know what we were, Hand in hand as unbreakable as stone You and I we won't get pulled under When the waves crash down we'll stay afloat You and I need to know we'll make it, Sailing out of this god forsaken town Before this ship goes down We won't go down


Slide 177:You and I need to know what we were, Hand in hand as unbreakable as stone You and I we won't get pulled under When the waves crash down we'll stay afloat You and I need to know we'll make it, Sailing out of this god forsaken town


Slide 178:Before this ship goes down…


Slide 179:The Elves appeared in the Dorans’ rain-soaked yard, just narrowly missing their targets.


Slide 180:"Search the house!" Máire ordered. They ran about, looking in every room. Under every table, every bed.


Slide 181:"There's nothing here!" Yula hollered as he crouched next to Fiona’s.


Slide 182:“Empty!” Ioan shouted upon kicking Erin and Ein’s bedroom door nearly off its hinges.


Slide 183:"Nobody here, either!”


Slide 184:"Wrong.“ The Elves stopped in their tracks, their eyes fixing on the man who had appeared out of nowhere. "Hey, guys. Nice to see each other again so soon, eh?“ Saoirse was appalled. "How did you just...appear like that?! I thought only Elves could do—” "Wrong again. I've got, ah, some interesting bloodlines as well, and I assure you none of them are Elvish.“


Slide 185:The others just stood around, not knowing what to do while Máire and Yew fumed in the hallway.


Slide 186:They approached Nervous, and Yew stabbed a finger at him. "You hid the Dorans, didn't you?" he accused. "Yeah, I did. Sorry.“ "Sieze him!" the female shouted.


Slide 187:The others moved to grab him, but stopped cold at the sight of the bottle appearing in Nervous's hand just then. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Do you know what this is?" The elves said nothing, unwilling to admit that they had no idea.


Slide 188:Nervous chuckled. "This," he said, "is a deadly virus created by the most brilliant medical researcher Strangetown has ever seen." The second part could be true. "Funny thing is, the virus only affects Elves. Cool, huh?“ "Take it from him!“ "Also not a brilliant idea. See, the disease is airborne, so if I accidentally drop this..." he drew a finger across his neck. "You all die."


Slide 189:"Don't underestimate me!" In an instant, Máire had the bottle in her hand, and Nervous pinned against the wall by some unseen force. She clenched her fist, and Nervous tried to scream. He couldn't, she was blocking his airway. Forty-five more seconds of that and he'd be dead.


Slide 190:This was exactly what Máire was aiming for. As Nervous slumped to the ground, she let out a reedy laugh. "That shows him.“ "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THAT THING, LADY, SO YOU BETTER HAND IT OVER TO ME," a hollow voice said from behind her.


Slide 191:Grimmy held out his hand, waiting for the elf to hand him the vial. With his other, he motioned toward his passed-out son. Nervous sputtered, wheezed, but he stood up, straight and healthy. "AND IF YOU EVER KILL MY SON AGAIN, I'LL RIP YOUR STUPID EARS OFF, GOT IT?"


Slide 192:Just then, Circe and Loki burst through the Dorans' front door. "I KNEW HE STOLE IT! What the hell, did you think we wouldn't find— Circe froze. Loki poked her. "Elves!" he pointed out. "I know!" she growled back as Loki clapped excitedly. He clapped, and then scowled at them. "You're the ones who have been giving my sister so much trouble, huh? Well I've got news for you…”


Slide 193:Yew and Máire shared a look. Things had obviously gotten out of control, and with the Reaper and his child here, things could get nasty pretty fast. They nodded at the others...


Slide 194:...And disappeared. Loki pouted. "Well that was anti-climactic!"


Slide 195:The End. > > >


Slide 196:A huge thank you to the following people: Marina, for not smiting me with her pitchfork for being behind schedule and for starting this awesome project in the first place… Lark, for providing me with my two heirs and their amazing personalities… Orikes, for helping me recover Strangetown when it went into hiding… The lovely CC creators out there, for creating CC… The fine men and women at Twinnings of London, for producing large quantities of tea for my all-nighter needs. And finally, thanks to everyone who read this nonsense and enjoyed it. Heck, thank you for those who hated it, too. I’m flexible. =D