Temporary Reprieve {Specimens Crew, Plot}

[Kiri Honeywater]

As she left the kitchen she noticed that the tall dark haired girl was at the door. Leaning a bit to see who it was she heard her name and startled. Who in the world would know her in Illinois? She hurried down the stairs and shoved at the taller, muscular girl to see who it was.

"I'm here who's loo-STAR!" Kiri screamed her hands flying to her mouth eyes wide and instantly letting lose with tears. "I thought-I-"

She just stood gawking at him the taller girl staring at them like they were a freak show. Kiri shook her head sending her curls bouncing about her. "I'm so sorry. It was so crazy, and then we were just leaving. And-I shouldn't have left you! Not in that place. I-I-"

Words weren't coming out right and she shook with her emotions. She wanted to hug him just to see that he was alright, but he probably hated her now. He was alright, he was alive and unhurt. "How? Howdidyoufindus? Howdidyougetoutofthere? Whywouldyouaskforme? I'msoverysorry. I'mahorribleperson. Youcouldneverforgivemecouldyou?"

Yes, her gibbering was back. Her hands gesturing wildly, tears like diamonds falling down her cheeks, and her voice cracked with every other word. The dark haired girl backed away from the water works and glanced up the stairs searching for someone, anyone who could handle the freak out.

[aaron]

Aaron could do nothing when Kiri came. He was unable to speak of his cowardice, only try and maintain what dignity he had left. He lowered himself down to Kiri's height. Tears wouldn't form no matter how much he wanted them to, a smile wouldn't break no matter how happy he could be. He concern for him was worse than her anger.

Those three "I'msoverysorry. I'mahorribleperson. Youcouldneverforgivemecouldyou?" Cut him deeply, and it was all he could do to look Kiri in the eyes as he replied.

"It's not your fault. Never forget that none of this was ever your fault. I lost my mind in there.... because I was weak. Weaker than you, who pressed on. I... turned into an animal..I pretended, wanted to be, a wolf, and escaped with all of you... I..."

Star blinked.

"I was supposed to protect you... and I failed. I am sorry." He looked down, his hand falling from Kiri's shoulder. He had patches of shadow on his bodies, sunlight sensing his depression and afraid to be caught in it.

[morg]

Having successfully avoided most of the conversation, Morgan easily slid over and grabbed a couple of cookies. Munching, she listened closely to the various explanations, taking in every word. In her current state, she was sure that most of it went in one ear and out the other. She could always go over it all later, when she had more time.

The sudden arrival of a wolf just wasn't as weird as half the stuff that went on around here. Morgan just rolled her eyes and grabbed a glass of milk to drink with her cookies.

"That means everyone made it out alright," Morgan guessed, looking around. She glanced over at Locke, noting that the poor guy was pretty much dead on his feet. Sighing, she tossed her cookie onto a plate. "C'mon, Locke, let me take you to a room. No reason to mope around here..."

[Kiri Honeywater]

"You have nothing to be sorry for! I left you! You're my friend, and I left you. I-" She covered her face not being able to meet his eyes. The other girl just stared at them like it was a horror movie come to life. Kiri sniffled in her hands and looked up when he took his hand away.

"A wolf? You were the other wolf? I just figured it was a new wolf from Rae's pack." Her gaze went past him for a moment to the moping wolf in the yard. "Why did you decide to come forward now? Oh, it doesn't matter. Come in! Have cookies, chocolate chip..."

She backed up into the house a bit more motioning for him to come in as well. Her eyes still held tears and her heart felt like it was made of lead. A friend, and she'd..."I'll never be able to make it up to you...I'm so sorry."

Kiri turned halfway away from him hunching her shoulders her hands clasped over her chest. As if sensing her sorrow the birds in the trees just outside had fallen silent, and the insects song ended. Sure she'd left to find Locke, she had went on because she had to, but that didn't excuse her leaving him. "It is my fault...we were in there together. I should've been watching out for you as much you me."

"I'm not strong. If I was I wouldn't have left you." Abandoned..."No, you shouldn't say sorry. That place could make anyone turn to their instincts."

[aaron]

Star shook his head violently. Didn't she get it? "Please... Kiri. Please don't blame yourself... for anything. You did this whole thing for love... and I would like to pretend I did it for you, but know I don't even know. Please... don't be sad, or guilty, or grateful or anything by my account."

"I came forward because I couldn't stand to make you feel guilty because of my cowardice... for my own selfish desire to be guilt free."

"Please. For me, forget about... everything. Everything I didn't do. Everything I did."

Aaron went ahead and took a cookie, eating it but tasting nothing.

"Now I would like to meet the man so lucky to have captured your affection."