Ash kneeled just as the child gazed at him. The child couldn't take it anymore as her face scrunched up and big tears started to fall from her already beet red eyes. She threw little punches on Ash as the latter finally gave in and allowed himself to cry as he hugged her in an attempt to provide some comfort. "Why? Why did they have to die? Big man, please tell me they are lying. Momma—Momma and Pappa can't be dead yet! We still need to play! Momma—momma is supposed to watch me grow up like a fine woman as her. Pappa—pappa still needs to give me a teddy bear on my birthday. Why? Why did you take them away from me? I want them back! Please give them back!" The child continued to rant but Ash just held his grip on the child tight, in hopes that somehow the horrible pain and scar he inflicted on the child would disappear. But who was he kidding? He knew he just left a permanent damage on the child's life . . . and soul.

Ash leaned on the wall as he lifted his head and scanned through the crowd at the Grand Avenue bus station. He had been searching for any signs of Malo for half an hour but to no avail. But he supposed it was understandable. The volume of passengers had tripled up since the Wausau Airport was totally destroyed. The only means of transportation available to reach the city is by land or sea. If they can manage to schedule a flight to one of its neighboring cities, the distance is still long and they need to travel via bus or train to reach the city. To make matters worse, ever since the incident, it attracted the media and the rest of the world was curious about what had happened. Wausau's popularity drastically increased as people started to flock to get closer to the action. Why was it Wausau Municipal Airport that vanished from the world in a snap? The news became enlarged and before anyone knew it, it became the talk of the month. Thus, worsening the congestio

"So our Sleeping Beauty finally awoke from his deep slumber and decided to grace us with his oh so lovely presence, huh? Did you finally get the cure to the curse from the Spindle? Oh wait, did your Prince Charming finally kiss you? So much for pretending to be a hero. Now look where it got you." Malo said as he gave a quick glance in Ash direction who blushed at his comment, then looked back at Alexander and gave him a light, playful punch on his shoulder. Alexander rolled his eyes and rubbed his shoulder where Malo playfully hit him and sighed dramatically. "You wound me, Malo. That's all you have to say after I wake up? Do you not love me?" Alexander asked with a faint mock hurt that made the latter man narrow his eyes in return. "Oh, believe me. I have so many things to tell you. And some serious lectures and ass-kicking for your stupidity. So-"Malo then turned around to face Alexander direction. "Sorry to interrupt

Ash released a heavy sigh as he slumped his shoulders in defeat and dropped the bags he'd carried for at least 4 hours. His feet were hurting from walking and standing around the mall, not to mention he was carrying a hefty pile of bags on both of his shoulders as Alexander made sure to enter each and every one of the boutiques in the mall. One might raise an eyebrow and find it odd, that the Ash who has been trained to have long endurance and stamina as a warrior, would get knocked out just from shopping. But he couldn't help it. Shopping and he were like the opposite poles of the earth, it's like mixing water and oil. It never mixed and will never ever be mixed. Every-time he heard the word shopping, it's like his energy were being sapped by the said activity. And he concluded that Alexander was worse than Rose. Rose may be a shopper Queen but there were times he could persuade her to cut it out already. Enough was enough. But with Alexand

"Eat it." Alexander commanded and somehow Ash was mesmerized by Alexander command. He opened his mouth obediently and had his first bite of the fruit. The sweet juice combined with the hot chocolate tasted heavenly. He kept on biting the fruit, being careful not to bite the tips of Alexander fingers which somehow slipped inside his mouth. When he finished eating the fruit, Ash felt his breath hitch as he met Alexander gaze. But the thing was that Alexander was not looking at him, but rather, he was looking at his fingers, which was inside Ash mouth. Ash suddenly felt that the surroundings were too hot. "Lick it." Alexander ordered and Ash did hesitantly. He'd only had one French kiss with Alexander before, and he was still not sure what to do. Closing his eyes he tried to imagine what it was like kissing him the first time, and moved his tongue sloppily all over the his fingers. Licking the chocolate off from him and licking him clean.