Ebony Wings: Chapter 9

'''Chapter 9 '''

'''Theresa '''

“Hey Chris.” She smiled as she saw him walk towards her.

“Did you get me any food?” He asked immediately.

She held out the paper bag towards him. “Thank the Stoll brothers.”

“You seem really smitten with these brothers.” He reached into the bag and pulled out the sandwich that was in it.

“Wouldn’t be caught dead with them.” She frowned.

“What am I looking at anyway?” Christopher asked mouth full of sandwich.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“The climbing wall.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Looks like a death machine.” He frowned.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">In his defence, it was a death machine. Two parallel rock walls, both shaking like they were possessed by the devil. Lava poured down the sides for an even greater challenge.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Well demigods don’t usually live long anyway.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“That’s not an excuse to jump into Death’s arms.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hey Theresa.” Silena came jogging into the picture, behind her Mike followed her.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher eyed Mike sinisterly; somehow he managed to do it with his mouth full.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hey.” Mike greeted innocently.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You going to attack me again?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You’re fine.” Silena insisted, she immediately turned to Theresa. “You’re planning to climb the wall?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No. you’re nuts.” Theresa was probably the least useful demigod in existence. She wasn’t athletic, good with weapons or anything of the like. Another thing to bully her about.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“How about you?” Michael challenged Christopher.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher didn’t answer for a while, chewing his sandwich.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once he swallowed, he answered Mike. “Race you to the top. Hold my sandwich.” He passed the paper bag to Theresa. <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;border-style:none;padding:0cm;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The boys ran towards the wall, racing towards the wall. <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">'''<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher '''

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The plan was to climb the wall and stand triumphantly on top of the wall.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tyche was not on his side however, he fell off half-way through the wall; being done in by the shaking wall.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher landed on his back when he hit the floor.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“My hero.” Theresa looked down on him, grinning.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I’ll get you back for that.” He groaned. “Just as soon as I can move.” He whimpered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">She held out her hand. “Come on up.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He let her pull him up. He regretted not taking off the sword off his back because it did not provide a soft landing.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Where’d you get a sword?” Theresa asked, noticing it once he adjusted the strap.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Took it from a wooden cabinet, met a guy named Lucian along the way too.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Never heard of him.” Theresa replied. “Silena went to climb the wall too, just so you know.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher frowned. “Let’s go, I’d rather ignore the fact that a girl is going to beat me.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Embarrassed?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Let’s say I have some manly pride I want to hold on too.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Theresa giggled. She turned and walked away, Christopher followed her.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Halfway through, she froze.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“What’s wrong?” He was chewing on his sandwich again.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">She turned and grabbed his arm. “Please get me out of here.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“What’s wrong?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Compact Patrol and her posse.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher nodded; he understood what they were trying to run away from.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He quickened his pace, scanning the area as they walked; trying to look out for Amanda Reece and her pack of make-up wolves.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“She’s to the right.” Theresa announced.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Gotcha.” He pulled her towards the left.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hey Theresa!” Amanda’s voice rung loud and true.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Theresa froze, Christopher turned to her. “Fight or Flight?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">She sighed. “Fight.” She put on her game face.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher turned to face the Child of Aphrodite; he had been expecting her and her female group. But her partner was a guy. Burly and tall, he wore a t-shirt two sizes small so that his muscles showed through his Camp Half-Blood t-shirt.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I see you brought your pet gorilla.” Christopher shot first.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Amanda frowned. Her male companion stepped forward. “I heard that you insulted my girl.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher pushed Theresa behind him, if things were going to get ugly; he didn’t want her to get hurt. “Your girl shouldn’t start battles she can’t win and then come running to her boyfriend once she loses.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The boy frowned at him. “Watch your mouth.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Listen, I think both of us don’t want to fight. So how about Amanda and her lapdog just walk away with his tail between his legs?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher noticed two other boys hand flanked him; they surrounded him and Theresa now.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Amanda’s gorilla pet stepped forward and shoved him backward. “Let’s see how much of a smart mouth you are now.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher saw the horror in Theresa’s eyes as the three boys surrounded him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Come on guys, this isn’t fair.” He complained. “You should’ve brought more of you.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gorilla Pet frowned at him and shoved him again. Compared to the ripped frame of gorilla pet, Christopher was no match.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">They took turns shoving him; with each shove they took a step forward; slowly getting closer to him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“We’ll just take that.” One of the boys said, pulling the sword away from Christopher.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Not so tough without your sword huh?” The other one said. He shoved Christopher towards gorilla pet.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before Christopher reached him, he pulled his leg back and kneed Gorilla pet in the gut; his muscles not protecting him from the blow.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gorilla pet recoiled in pain; the other two boys looked at him with gaping mouths. They did not expect him to fight back.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher balled up his fists, ready to fight. Not the first time he’d been in a brawl.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the boys grabbed him from behind, another ready to take a blow. Christopher sent his head back and heard a satisfying crack as the back of his head connected with his grabber’s nose.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He let Christopher go then he quickly ducked to dodge the blow of the other boy. He kicked the back of the boy’s knees, making him fall to his knees.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adrenalin was pumping in his veins now, making his body go into fight-or-flight mode. He glared at the three boys, each one in shock and trying to get to their feet.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The one boy, whose nosed had a great meeting with the back of Christopher’s head, was bleeding from his nose. Christopher probably had broken it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gorilla Pet got to his feet and lunged. Christopher didn’t have time to react as Gorilla pet punched him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He took a step back; he shook his head to rid himself of the grogginess he felt.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two of the boys surrounded him; Broken Nose was out of the game. Christopher balled up his fists again, though this time he lacked the element of surprise. These two knew that he knew how to fight.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">If they were going attack him at once, then he wouldn’t have a chance.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Excuse me, but what are you doing?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher turned to face Silena, who was pulling Amanda by her ear.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Ow ow ow.” Amanda complained.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gorilla Pet and Extra Boy stared at Silena dumbfoundedly.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her twin followed behind her, his face an emotionless mask.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Listen the four of you.” Silena started her speech. “If you start messing with Christopher and Theresa again, you’ll get it.” She shoved Amanda towards Gorilla Boy.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Silena put her hands on her hips while Michael folded his arms. Christopher found it amusing that these two twins, Silena specifically who was significantly shorter than the boys and Amanda; were scolding the group that had wanted to beat him up.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“What do you want? A picture? Go!” Silena ordered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The four of them moved reluctantly. Extra Boy frowned at Christopher while Broken Nose stopped to take one last look at him. “This isn’t over.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah sure, by the way love what you did to your nose.” Christopher shot back. “Mind telling me your plastic surgeon?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Broken Nose frowned and turned to walk away.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Why do they listen to you?” Christopher narrowed his eyes at her.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Child of Zeus. Translation: I’m one of the most powerful demigods in existence. That gives me some authority, false sense of authority mind you.” Silena explained.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Christopher!” Theresa tackled hugged him. “You okay?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I’m fine.” He reassured her.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No you’re not. You’re hurt.” Theresa touched the bruise on his forehead where Gorilla Pet punched him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Ow! Don’t touch it.” He gently pushed her hand away. “And I’m fine; just add that to the list of bruises that I had before.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Theresa didn’t reply to him, he met her eyes and lost himself in their blue depths. He wasn’t used to seeing other eye colours other than brown. Where we was from, most people had a natural brown eye colour.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Okay, teary-eyed moment and it’s really sweet and all but you should get that looked at.” Silena stepped between the two of them, pointing at the bruise.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah it’s getting really swollen.” Mike noted.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I don’t even want to how it looks like.” Christopher complained.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I can fix it probably.” Theresa revealed. “You guys go ahead with your activities.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You sure?” Silena inquired.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah. Don’t worry about us.” Christopher shoed them away.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Don’t do anything indecent when we’re gone.” Mike grinned sarcastically.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Go away Michael.” Theresa ordered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“So you’re going to take care of me?” Christopher smirked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Don’t push it Chris. I’m just repaying you for a favour.” She pulled him in a direction. “But seriously, thanks for that.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Like I said, I have a weakness for Damsels in Distress.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Theresa let his hand go, turning around and walking backward so she could look at him. “You’re an enigma Christopher Fauns.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“In a good way or bad way?”

<span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt;line-height:16.5pt;">“Good way. Definitely.” Theresa smiled.

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<span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt;line-height:16.5pt;"> Can you give me my heart back?  I want to be able to love again  16:16, March 5, 2014 (UTC)