The Others

"Well, Kersko," Shara said when we got on a hidden elavator in the back of the bar she dragged me into, "welcome to the Herskon underground." All of a sudden a ray of light blinded me, but my eyes soon adjusted.

We were in a city. It had skyscapers, people walking on the street, and houses where people lived.

"So," I said, "what where in this metal jungle do you live, Shara."

"Well, best thing to do is show you," Shara replied, "I can't just point and show you."

"There a lot of Herskons down here," Rei said, "some humans too, some as prisoners and some on their own free will. They come because they don't want the fighting so they come to us to help in it."

Kersko

When we reached the bottom and stepped out. It was liking walking into a busy city. Bars, Casinos, and regular stores lined the streets, but the one thing that was different was creatures of every kind walked down the street.." Looks like this is a important city," I said.

"To the Herskons, yes," Shara replied. "In the center is where all the war planning is."

"Let's get to my place," Rei said, "it'll be more private. Come."

Rei led the three strangers, who she had somehow gotten tangled up with, to her home. She opened the door and stepped inside, not bothering to play host.

"Wow, nice hangout." Kersko said, looking around.

"Thanks." Rei said, no emotion in her voice. She sat down on the couch and grabbed a can of soda and popped the lid. She gestured to the cooler next to the door, letting them take what they wanted.

The basilisk laid the still comatose girl on the bed in a corner. She came to sit in the chair next to the fire, the wolf standing.

"So, first order of business, what are your names?" Rei asked.


*Happy now Ash?"

*Thank you*

"I'm Kersko of the Fresco Family," I answered. "Also known as the Wolf Family."

"I'm Shara of the Slikan Family," Shara said. "Also know as the Basilisk Family."

"So a wold, a snake, and a bobcat. I'm Rei of the Helasn Family," Rei said. "Also known as the Great Griffin Family."

"We have to find this girls Family," Kersko said.

"Yes, and you two dragged me into this. I was just minding my business walking down the alley till you pulled me over and all this happened. I didn't want to have part in this."

"So we have to find that old Narfa," Shara said, "maybe he'll take care of her, then we can go our seperate ways again."

Nellie stirred and opened her eyes. She heard them talking but it was hard to understand until she heard the end of the converstion. She stood up and clumsily walked over to them.

"Who the hell is this Narfa guy you guys are talking about?" She said angrilly.

"He's an old friend. He might take care of you. I think he has a couple of other orphans he's taken in. You'll be with your own family." Shara said.

"Maybe I don't want to go." She said very snobby like.

"Listen Brat! We're trying to help, so you are going to cooperate." Shara spat. Nellie crossed her arms and sulked on the couch.

"Where is this Fairy God Mother anyways?"

I'm waiing for a good place to come in.

"He's close by actually," Shara said, "a few streets down."

"Then why didn't we take the brat there in the first place," Rei complained, "then I wouldn't have you guys to worry about." I let my wolf anger show. "I'm not intemidated by that wolf. You think showing me those eyes will scare me."

"Let's get out of here," Shara said, "we don't have to put up with this." Jumped off the couch and padded out the door, followed closely by Nellie in Bobcat form and Shara behind her still as a human.

"Thank god," Rei thought. "They're gone."

Rei sat back on the couch and fell asleep.


*thats all i got. wait...where'd everyone go!?*

I followed the wolf, keeping an eye on Nellie. Thinking over Rei's last statement, I muttered to Kersko, "She may not be scared of such a look from you, but if she doesn't watch it she'll have something to be frightened about from one of mine."
Nellie looked up at me. "So, it's true then?"
"What is?"
"You can turn people to stone?"
"Yeah..." I gave her a hard look. "Do you want to see?" I grinned, to show her I was kidding... sort of.
She didn't seem to notice.
"No!"

"We're almost there," Shara said after a few minutes of walking. "It should be the second house on the left."

Looked for the house and saw a sign, that said "ORPHAN HOUSING." "I guess this is the place," I said.

"Yes."

"Now Nellie," Kersko began, "I know you want to go to your old life, but if you do I fear for your life. Here you'll be safe, you'll have people to take care of you. This man is also a Narfa, another person who can turn into a bobcat."

"If you want," Shara said, "I'll come and visit you."

"Can you come and visit me to, Kersko?" Nellie asked.

"I'll try."

"'I'll try' isn't good enough! I need a promise form you if you're gonna stick me in this place. You have to promise me...or I'm coming with you. I'll be right behind you forever. So you'll have to worry about me all the time in case I get in danger." She smirked at him.

"I don't have to worry. I could just leave and walk away." He said.

"Awww but nice, friendly, Kersko wouldn't do such a thing." She said sarcastically and he just glared at her. "Promise me?"

"Yes," I said with a smile, "I promise to visit you often."

"Good," Nellie replied. "Now can you please tell me what this guy is like."

"Well, he's a Narfa like you," Shara answered. "He's extremely nice, but when you disobey him he is strict. As long as you do the chores he asks you can stay there and be feed gracious amounts of food and you'll get a salary, sort of."

"What do you mean, sort of?"

"Well, he'll give you money if you do certain jobs for him. Jobs that not a lot of people will do."

"What kind of jobs?" Nellie asked.

"He'll tell you when you see him." she said.

"But I don't want to learn from him. I want to know from you." She said with a cold stare.

"Well," I replied, "cleaning facilities is one."

"And more dangerous ones," Shara added," like running missions above ground and to the Herskon army."

"Anything else?" Nellie asked.

"As far as I know, he might have more I haven't heard of."

"Alright." She sighed. "I guess this is it." She walked forward turned around and hugged them all then walked in. A man came up to her with a smile.

"Hello there. Who are you, dear?" He said.

"I-I-I'm...Nellie." She said in a quiet voice.

"And why are you here Nellie? Did someone send you?" He said smiling.

"Um...I was with Shara and Kersko...they said you take in orphans...and that you're a bobcat- I mean...Narfa."

"Yes, I am. Shara is a good person. You're lucky you found her." He smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "You're gonna have to work as part of the family here though. And listen to me, Ok?"

"Mhm." She nodded and he showed her to her room. It was small but nice. It had four beds...well two bunks.Two boys were in the room playing some game, and a girl was on the bottem bunk reading a book.

"This is Mina." He said pointing to the girl. "And these two rascals are Mark and Danny." They waved at her and said hi. "Get along. You'll get your chores in the morning. Dinner's at 6:30 sharp. Alright?"

"Yeah. Sure."