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Comforting Arms

It was a warm after noon and Saul was on his routine run. A Tae Kwon Doe student from the age of three he had been trained in discipline and imbued with endurance. He enjoyed taking care of his body, his sleek white fur with one black patch right in the middle of his chest in the shape of a diamond, his friends called him the alpha wolf, but he wasn't demanding or commanding at all. He just was every ones best friend. Not one to take life too seriously, he smiled as he ran, enjoying every aspect of the warm air. He had always tried to stay in shape but this week was different. A friend he hadn't seen in years was coming back from a hard year at university. She said she needed to try to escape from reality. A somewhat cryptic message but he didn't mind, he always helped his friends, his priorities in life were as follows; family, friends, school and then his job. Luckily for him his boss was a friend so he got away with that list. He got home and a message was on his machine, it was a call he had been expecting.

"Hey Saul, it's Kara, I'm on my way over now. I should be there in about an hour or two."

Saul hadn't talked to Kara in a while, he was eager to hear how her match making scheme between Mira and Eagle worked out. She had been keeping him up to date, and then, about three years ago, she stopped calling and sending messages. He felt abandoned, but that was in the past. He spent some time cleaning the apartment making everything just so. He heard a car outside and he looked outside. It was a cab, the door opened and Kara came out, she only had one suitcase with her and it wasn't very big. From this alone Saul could tell something was wrong. Kara was happy, all the time, a vixen with a spark of life that matched no other.

He rushed to the door to greet her; he opened the door held his arms open for a hug. She dropped her bags where she stood and grabbed him in a great big hug. It seemed so normal until he noticed she was sobbing heavily.

"Kara what's wrong?"

"It's a long story."

"Come in and tell me all about it."

He led her into his living room where she sat down, still sobbing uncontrollably.

"What happened?"

"Remember I set up Mira and Eagle. Well Mira and Eagle were shopping for groceries and on the way back they got mugged. Mira was killed, Eagle blacked out and went into a state of Acoma. After 2 years he woke up and he was totally different. Then one day he came home and went into his dorm and didn't come out. After 2 days I went to see if he was ok."

She started to shake, her voice became quivery.

"An-and then went into his room, h-he was *sob* lying down on his bed, a sawed off shotgun in his hand laid limply across his chest, and a hole went up through his head. The wall behind him was covered in blood. A note on his dresser explained everything. He killed himself, and it was all my fault!"

She broke down, crying and sobbing. For once in his life Saul didn't know what to say, or what to do. He was upset that is friends were dead, but he was more worried then sad. He was friends with Eagle and Mira only because he was close friends with Eagle's brother James. He knew Kara because his cousin had dated her once. Kara was close to Eagle and Mira but he knew that Eagle's brother would be in rough shape too. He watched the two of them grow up. He realized he had let his mind wander for too long and he took Kara's hand into his.

"Kara, you can't blame yourself for what happened. You had no way of knowing that would happen. You did what you thought was right. That is all that matters."

"Thank you. How do you always know how to make me feel better?"

"I just do."

She gave him an hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"So how long are you staying, I still haven't gotten a chance to catch up with you."

"I can stay for a day at most I only brought one change of cloths."

"Nonsense I have a laundry machine, that means your can stay as long as you like."

"Really? Thank you so much."

"You had a long drive you should get some sleep."

"Your right. I guess we can do some stuff tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night."

It was early for Saul he always stayed up till late in the night. Sometimes he would just not go to sleep, that all depended on how tired he really was, so he stayed up checking in on Kara every now and then just to make sure she was still ok. At one point around midnight he saw Kara shaking in her sleep he went over to wake her up but saw she was talking in her sleep, so he listened to her to see what she was dreaming about.

"Where is she? Where is she? Mira? Mira! No she can't be dead she can't be! Oh my god. I need to find Eagle, where is he? Acoma, what but he called the paramedics. How can he- no I won't accept it! Let me see him!"

Tears were pouring down her face so he woke her up.

"Kara, you were having a bad dream. You were shaking and crying I had to wake you."

"It's ok, I needed that. It wasn't a bad dream, I was reliving it. The moment that I went to the hospital the day Mira died. I got there first, after I had gotten to Eagle's room I knelt next to him and cried until Mira's brother Andy came to me. He hugged me and we cried on each other's shoulders. That day was the second worst day of my life, I didn't think I could ever speak to Eagle again. I was afraid of losing him, and I was afraid of having him wake up. I thought he would hate me. I pressured him into that relationship. That day was his turn to get groceries, Mira went with him because they where dating and they had fallen in love. I made that happen. I was the reason Mira was there and I'm the reason her and Eagle are dead today. Everyone tells me otherwise but I know, deep down I know, I cause this."

"You're wrong; you gave them the best thing they ever had. I know that they died; I know you think it's your fault but it's not. I don't know any details but I know this. You didn't shoot Eagle and you didn't kill Mira. Therefore you aren't responsible."

"You don't understand, this isn't that simple, you can't just tell me I'm wrong and make it all better. You'll make me feel good for a bit then as soon as I go back to sleep the memories come rushing back and smacking me in the head like a professional boxer. I-I thought coming here would help me forget, but it hasn't. I can't make this go away."

"Then don't, live with it, carry on. I seriously doubt that Eagle and Mira would want you to live like this the rest of your life. What happened to the Kara I used to know, where did she go?"

"She died the day she walked in to her best friend's house, and saw that he had decided that life wasn't worth living anymore. She was buried minutes later when she read this note."

Kara held out the suicide note that Eagle had left. Parts of the letter were covered in tears. Saul read over the note quickly, it was covered in smears from someone's tears. One line stuck out (let it be known I was not depressed I'm happy because I know that I'm going to be with Mira, the love of my afterlife.). From this line he drew the conclusion that the tears were Kara's. He sighed heavily.

"I don't understand why you're blaming yourself, this note clearly sais that Mira died from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that Eagle killed himself because he missed Mira. Nowhere in this note does it ever say that he blames you, or anyone other then the human."

"I'm the reason Mira was in the wrong place at the wrong time! I'm the reason Mira died! Eagle killed himself because Mira was dead and because he was in love with her! I set them up! Mira died because I put her in that place! Eagle died because I pushed him on Mira and I pushed Mira on him! I have told you several different times and in several different ways! You always listened before, why aren't you listening now?"

"Because you're blaming yourself for something that wasn't your fault and I don't like seeing you like this. It is hurting me deep down, on a level you don't seem to see. I care about all my friends, I'm sad that Eagle and Mira died, I am worried about Eagle's brother and I'm scared for you."

Kara grabbed Saul in an embrace and cried on his shoulder for the second time that day.

"I don't want to sleep alone tonight, will you stay with me? Please?"

"Ok, for you I will."

He got into bed with Kara and held her from behind and cuddled into her as she cried herself to sleep. He held her around the waist and she curled into a ball. He did not sleep until hours after she did, during this time she was twitching and crying again. He knew he could not keep waking her every time she did this so he let her dream. His comforting arms around her to let her know she was safe.

***

He awoke to find Kara still asleep. He heard the door to his apartment open, Saul was used to visitors just coming and going as the pleased so this didn't shock him. His best friend Sarah came into the bedroom. He saw her through one squinted eye and she didn't see that he was awake so he pretended to be asleep. Sarah was one of the few girls Saul knew with a dirty mind; she was so much like him in so many ways. They had dated once in the past, but she was a very religious snow white cat with a thick southern accent, and he was an atheist. It just couldn't work. She came up behind him and started to pinch his neck lightly. He didn't do anything other then grunt and stretch his neck a little. So she tried a different approach, she moved to the other side of the bed and did the same thing to Kara, this time it yielded a response. And it shocked both of them.

"Mmm, Andy. *Gasp*"

Now Saul had his eyes wide open but Sarah didn't notice and both of them had long sense stopped caring. Saul was the first one to speak.

"So...Kara. Um who's Andy?"

She awoke immediately, her eyes wide open starring directly into the eyes of Sarah.

"Hi, I'm Sarah. You must be Kara."

"Don't be embarrassed Kara, you can tell us who Andy is."

She sighed loudly, sitting up in bed.

"Andy is...was Mira's brother. They were twins. Separated early on in life, they found each other the year that Mira and Eagle started to date, the year Mira died."

"So what happened between you two?"

"After Mira died we spent a lot of time together, I was consoling him, he was consoling me. It just happened all of a sudden. It was during a normal visit and we just, had sex. He was all over me, it was so good. But our relationship was never the same after it. He started spending most of his time at the hospital with Eagle, while he was in Acoma."

"And you miss him?"

"I-I..."

"You?"

She held her stomach with her arms.

"I loved him. He would come over and as soon as he left I would already miss him. Then after we had sex. He just didn't come over anymore. I guess he felt bad, like he had taken advantage of me, or like I had taken advantage of him. But I don't want him to feel bad about it. I want him to come back to me."

"So what happened after Eagle woke up?"

"He started coming over again, for a short time. Nothing big or memorable, then when I found Eagle...I just couldn't bring myself to tell him what had happened. I just called you and told you I was coming over."

"Hun, I don't know you or this Andy fella' very well, but if he's anything like Saul used to be all you have to do is go grab 'em give, 'em a great big hug and really meaningful kiss, and he'll be butter."

"Wait hold on now. Are you the only one who knows Eagle killed himself?"

"No...I called 911 right before I called you then I just packed. I answered their questions they took some DNA samples and my finger prints and I told them I would be here."

Saul sighed heavily at this. There were so many better ways of handling this that Kara could have done. But he wasn't going to criticize her, she was a friend and he had to help her.

"Kara, here is what I want you to do. Today I'm going to drive you back to your dorm and you're going to go talk to Andy."

"Are you sure? I don't know if I'm ready to talk to Andy again. After what happened I was a wreck, he spent so much more time with Eagle when he was in Acoma then I did, I don't know what he's going to be like."

"Too bad. We are leaving now; you don't have a choice because I'm making it for you."

"Ok, fine I'll go."

"That sounds better. Alright get dressed we're leaving as soon as your ready."

***

After 30 minutes. Kara had emerged from the bathroom. Fully dressed and ready to go. The three of them went to the car and turned on the stereo. Saul had taken the time to acquire several CDs filled with music from several artists, including in flames, dragon force, Rage against the machine and disturbed. Saul was always one to love hard rock and metal. Saul had ulterior motives for going to the university; his girl friend was studying a metaphysics course and he hadn't seen her in almost a week.

They arrived at the university, Saul escorted Kara to Andy's dorm. They knocked and a familiar face opened the door.

"Kara!"

"Carlos!"

They embraced, remaining there for some time.

"How's Andy?"

He sighed heavily.

"Not good. He hasn't come out of his room, I come home every day and I hear him in there every now and then. He laughs occasionally, I don't know why, but it sounds almost hysterical."

It was Saul who remarked first to this.

"Hysterical? Laughing? Have you looked in on him, to check to see if he's ok?

"Well I never thought of it. I mean I thought it would be healthier to let him sort it out himself tell he was ready to talk to someone about it."

"Then I guess now's the time to talk."

They entered the room, but, Andy wasn't in there. All they saw was a note and an open window. Kara picked up the note and started to read it aloud.

"I have decided that school isn't where I want to be any more. I believe, after some intense thought that my true calling is the military. I spent several days in my room, with every second thinking my life was useless. Well it's not, so im going to put it to use or die trying. Your friend, sincerely Andy.

They were all shocked, but Kara...Kara was stricken. You could see the pain, the sorrow in her eyes. It was like every part of her body was attacking her heart and her memories where leading the assault. Her eyes filled with tears. Her lips started to tremble and her tail hung low to the floor. the only conscious reaction she could muster was to put her hand over her chest and muffle one word.

"Ow..."

Her head tilted downward, she started to sob uncontrollably. Carlos was confused, that took hold of him for no more then a second before he brushed it aside. He turned to Kara and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's ok. He'll be alright; he just needs to clear his head. He'll be back before you know it."

"Why is my life turning into a piece of shit!"

"It's not, this is just a little rough patch."

"If it was any rougher I could sand wood with it!"

"That's not true. You still have family and friends that love you. I love you, Saul love's you. You have so much. More then you know."

"It sure doesn't feel like it. Maybe I need to be alone for a while..."

"To hell you do. What you need right now is to be in the company of friends."

"Alright, but where am I going to stay?"

"Stay here with me, you can sleep in Andy's be-"

Saul smacked him on the back of the head, quickly. Kara didn't seem to see it. Then he spoke.

"Kara you could stay here and sleep with Carlos. That way you can vent a few feelings and he can bounce some ideas back at you. Give you someone to talk to, same as you did with me last night."

Carlos was still recoiling from the swift blow to the back of the head he received earlier. But at this note he recovered.

"I'm fine with that. You may stay as long as you need."

Kara hugged him and Saul had moved behind Kara and he whispered to Carlos.

"Take good care of her. Be a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen with. She needs a friend, be there for her."

He simply nodded with compliance.

***

Mean while, at a military base about 30 miles away. A familiar face was entering the military base. A young otter named Sefan, he grew up with Andy. A proud soldier, he had fought in many places, including but not limited to; Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan. But none of those places had prepared him for what he was about to see as he stepped out to the recruitment office. Just as he entered he saw Andy. He didn't recognize him at first, but then he turned his head and checked him again.

"Andy?"

"Sefan?"

"Holy shit I haven't seen you in ages, where the hell did you go?"

"To university."

"So how did that work out?"

"Not good, I don't want to go into details."

"Alright then, so you're here to join up are you?"

"You bet."

"Well then, come this way I'll process you through my self."

"Ok."

After a few minutes, Andy and Sefan immerged from the office they had retreated to, Andy now wearing a hat that proudly bore the words "Army" with a Canadian flag stitched into the side.

"Alright, your training begins tomorrow, come back here for 0600 hours. We train right here on base, we don't get many recruits out this way, so we train 'em as we get 'em. You'll get one on one training. Training should only take about a month if we go non stop. But you'll pull through."

"Can't wait."

"Well I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya."

***

Kara awoke to find her self, in a very familiar position; she was lying down, with Carlos's arms wrapped around her waist. Just as Saul had done the night before. The birds outside were chirping, bringing with them a feeling of beauty and peace. She went to Andy's room to wake him. As she opened the door the paradise she had woken up to came crashing down on her. She had completely forgotten that Andy was gone. The pain returned like salt on a healing wound. This time she forced it down. She had to be strong, she couldn't live life like this forever she had to learn to live with her feelings and get on with life. At this thought she realized how hungry she was and she decided to make a big breakfast, enough for her and Carlos. She started in with some eggs and bacon, then she put some toast in the toaster and went back to the eggs. Carlos woke up from the smell of bacon.

"Please tell me that is what I think it is."

"Do you think it's bacon and eggs?"

At these words, all words escaped his mouth, all he managed was a muffled growl, and a moan of approval.

"You know, I never cooked breakfast for a rabbit before. I didn't know if you would like bacon or not."

"How do you figure that?"

"Well you are a rabbit."

"Ya, but everybody loves meat. I couldn't live without popcorn chicken."

"Are you serious? That stuff is terrible for you, I guess it's a good thing I can make a decent meal then, or you'd be screwed."

At this they chuckled. Kara was leaning in over the stove. She had her back to Carlos, he couldn't help but check her out. They had just slept together and he didn't get anything. He was entitled to a glance. Besides he was a good friend, plus he missed out on going to a party that he had been invited to. He really needed to wind down but he passed it up to stay with her.

Little did he know, Kara could see him in the shinny surface of the toaster. She watched him sizing her up and giggled to herself. She started to swing her hips as she flipped the eggs. When she was convinced she had his undivided attention she turned her head and spoke.

"Eggs are almost done, would you mind getting the plates for us?"

"No problem. Do you know where Saul went?"

"Actually, I have no idea. He's kinda mysterious like that some times."

***

Saul awoke, on the couch at James' house. He went to James' studio where he would draw sketches; they had been about normal things before, flowers and such. Now it was all violent. James had fallen asleep drawing again. He wasn't dealing with the loss of his brother in a healthy way.

"Yo, James. Wake up man, you need to eat."

"Why don't I just eat lead? Eagle seemed to find it to be quite a wholesome meal. He hasn't eaten sense."

"Oh, for fuck sakes! You need to change this attitude or your going to end up a wreck. You're heading towards a slippery slope and it ends with a twenty-two in the head. I'm not letting you head that way, so get up; you're eating breakfast!"

"I don't nee-"

"I said you're eating breakfast, NOW!"

"Fine."

It was the first time in his life that Saul ever yelled at someone, not to mention the fact that he yelled at his best friend. But it had to be done, James was tearing himself in two. He calmed his voice.

"Listen to me, you can't get caught up on this for so long, you'll ruin your life. Don't try to forget, if you try that then one day you'll forget he's dead, and then all this will happen again. Just live on, the only thing you can do is live."

The look in James' eyes, the pain and suffering. There was nothing Saul could do to take that away. But he couldn't let him live life the way he was going about it.

"Where do you want to have breakfast?"

"You mean where would I least hate to go?"

"Ya, that's a start."

"Hmm, maybe Tim Horton's."

"Sounds like a plan, get your stuff we're going now."

***

Kara and Carlos sat talking together over eggs and bacon. Kara was a keen observer; she had noticed that while she was talking Carlos would be staring into her eyes. Losing himself in the deepness of them. It didn't take a keen observer to see that he was doing this, however it took a keen observer to notice that his ear would twitch slightly whenever Kara spoke. This she had picked up on. She could smell that he was nervous. She was enjoying herself, making him so uncomfortable. She felt terrible doing to him, but it felt so good.

After breakfast he thanked her. She stood to thank him, she went to hug him. But then something in her snapped. She lost control. She kissed him, deeply, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Carlos was stricken, shock was his immediate reaction, but it didn't take hold. He laid his arms around Kara's waist bringing her in closer. She slowly stopped kissing him, she looked him right in the eye. He couldn't muster the strength to close his mouth, he was melting inside, none of his muscles would do what he wanted them to. Kara stepped back quickly.

"Carlos! I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry, please forgive me."

He tried to accept her apology, but his mouth wasn't working. All he could do was mumble.

"y-yyy...aa..."

"Carlos?"

He collected himself. Trying to fix what he had broken.

"Yes? Yes! I forgive you. It was a momentarily lapse in judgment, I've had a few of those myself every now and then."

"Well, I have a class to get too soon; I'll talk to you later."

"Have a good time, see you when you get back."

Kara opened the door stepped into the hall way turned and blew Carlos a kiss. Then she closed the door and left.

Carlos was left there, with no one else. He started to talk to himself.

"What the hell? Why did she do that? Why did I kiss her back? She loves Andy, he loves her. That's like betraying him. Right? Why the hell did you have to go Eagle? You really don't realize how bad you screwed up Kara, Andy and James."

I don't know why he's talking to me, I can't even acknowledge him. He can't hear me and I can't magically appear before, if he wants a vision he's gonna need some shrooms.

"Maybe Kirk will know what to do."

Oh ya, shift blame to me and just walk away ass hole. Christ. Nah I can't get angry at him. I did kind of screw up. But hey, I got what I wanted, I was sick of thinking of others, I got what "I" wanted. So did that sound as selfish as I think it did or am I not just kidding myself? God damn you Carlos, how the hell did you made me feel bad? Even in the afterlife you know how to bring out a persons conscience.

***

"Ok Private. Today is your first day of training. We have a lot of work to do. So get up and get dressed!"

"Uhh..."

"What was that private?"

"I mean...Sir yes Sir!"

"That's better. Your government issue attire is on the end of your bunk. You'll be doing a lot of running today so don't worry about wearing a shirt under your jacket."

"How long should I expect to be training today Sir?"

"Let's put it this way, develop good night vision. Now get moving!"

"Sir yes Sir!"

After getting dressed, Andy moved out side to the field on base with Sefan.

"Ok, first, let's see what you're capable of. I want you to run around this field tell you physically can't anymore."

"Sir yes Sir!"

He started to run around the field, it was easy at first. Sefan kept on his tail the whole time. He started to feel the effects around his fifth lap. The sweat beading down his fur. After his fifteenth lap he could feel every muscle in his body straining to keep going. By his seventeenth he could barely keep going, every step brought new meaning to the word pain, but he had to keep going. He knew Sefan for a long time, and he was determined to show him that he could still out run him. He was on his twentieth lap when he tripped over his own foot and couldn't get up.

"Very good Private! I have never seen a man run that far on his first run; you'll be army material in no time! Get something to eat and drink. You'll need your strength for the rest of your training today."

Sefan walked to the cafeteria so leisurely. Like he wasn't fazed at all. When Andy finally got up, it took him every ounce of strength to get him to the cafeteria.

"Damn, why do I have a strange feeling I'm going to be running a lot more today?"

***

Saul and James arrived at a Restaurant called Denny's. James spoke in a lazy tone, like he could care less.

"Denny's? I thought we were going to Tim's?"

"Well, they were closed, besides Denny's has some amazing pancakes."

"I guess."

"Besides, what could you eat a Tim's in the morning for breakfast anyway?"

"Coffee?"

"You can get it here. Plus, you're EATING, not just drinking. You can do more of that when you get home and have some food in you."

They entered the restaurant, it was covered in tacky black and white checkered tile. The walls were yellow, the tables were just barely clean. Lucky for them the bar was spotless. They sat down next to each other and a male otter came to serve them. He had dark colors and was young, around fifteen.

"What'll it be folks?"

"I'll have 3 pancakes and a cup of black coffee. Whip cream on the pancakes if you would please. My friend here will take the same, but hold the whip cream and instead use some maple syrup. Thank you very much."

"Welcome sir."

He had wrote down the order and stuck it up to a revolving steel wheel, Saul could not help but notice how pointless this was as they were the only two in the place. And the cook obviously wasn't busy.

They had there food in minutes. The pancakes were, as Saul has stated, superb. The coffee wasn't anything to be impressed with, but at least it wasn't as bad as the crap they sold out by his house.

"James. What did you think of the pancakes?"

"Superb."

"Coffee?"

"Infinitely better then the crap out by your house."

"Well it's good that you're eating."

It's also good that my death hasn't seized his sharp tongue. They left the Denny's and started back towards James' house.

***

Carlos was walking towards Kirk's when he saw Saul and James. He called out to Saul.

"Hey Saul! What are you up to?"

"Not much, this is Eagle's brother James."

He regretted it the second he said it. He could see the color fade from James' eyes as the mention of his brother brought back old feelings of pain and suffering, renewed again like a slap to the face.

"James, I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have brought that back up again."

The color returned to his face, he blinked slowly and shook his left hand.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

"It's a little late for that."

Carlos could see how awkward this was going to be, so he decided to leave.

"I got to go; I'm going to go to Kirk's if you need me."

"Ok. At this rate we may end up joining you."

Carlos continued on his way to Kirk's. He noted that the air smelled strange. A smell he had never smelled before.

***

Carlos finally arrived at Kirk's, he thought his head would explode. The smell he had noticed earlier had stayed in his nose, lingering, and wouldn't leave.

"Kirk. Am I glad to see you. I need a drink like I have never needed one before."

"What will it be Carlos?"

"Scotch on the rocks."

"Coming right up. What got you so bugged out?"

"Well at first I was just coming here to talk to you, but ever since I passed Denny's I've had this weird smell lingering in my nose, I can't place it, but it is very annoying."

"Well I can't help with the smell, but I can still talk to you."

"Well...you see, I think I'm falling for Kara. I know she loves Andy, I know he loves her. But he ran off, and now things are different. But part of me sais I'm doing the wrong thing. I guess I came here looking for the answer. Kirk do you think I'm doing something wrong, if I get involved with Kara?"

At this stage several things were going through Kirk's mind. He need to consider that Andy was a close friend, that he was involved with Kara, and that Kara still loved him no doubt. But he also knew that Andy left, Kara was lonely, and that Carlos didn't just think she was attractive, he really felt for her.

"To be honest, I think the only way this could be wrong is if you know that Andy is coming back. If you know for certain that he is coming back, and that he was just going to clear his head then this is wrong, but if you have know idea when he's coming back, if at all. Then you have no reason not to show Kara how much you feel for her."

"Thanks Kirk. I owe you one." Carlos said it as he took one last swig of his scotch. The strange lingering odor still occupying his nose.

"Hey Carlos, one more thing. Did you hit your nose on the way here?"

"No, why?"

"Your nose is bleeding. Extensively."

Carlos touched his upper lip, to see that blood was leaking out of his nose at a rapid rate. It was very watery. It seemed to emit the odor he was smelling.

"Oh shit! Guess I got to go to the hospital now. I'll see you later Kirk, but before I go could I get a towel or something?"

"No problem."

***

Kara's class ended uneventfully, her professor was boring and mono tone, he wasn't much better at teaching then he was entertaining. He would jump from topic to topic without finishing them, just to return to them and finish days after he left them. He wasn't eye candy either, short and over weight, his brown otter fur was matter and greasy. He smelled and looked like he rarely bathed.

She was on her way home when she saw someone out of the corner of her eye and turned to see who it was, only to see they were no longer there. Dazed and confused Kara just turned and continued walking.

She was opening the door to Carlos' dorm when she thought she heard someone opening the door to my dorm, she turned to see who it was only to see an empty hall, the sound had stopped before she had turned. Curious and anxious at the same time, she went to my door to see if she could see who was there. She entered the dorm and walked around. No one was there. She turned to leave and she realized the door was closed. She had left it open, so that meant someone else had closed it. Curiosity was replaced by stress. She wasn't sure if she was frightened or just nervous, but either way she wasn't comfortable. She sat down on my bed and looked around the room. It had been cleaned since my death. But she could see where the blood and grey matter had been on the wall. A shiver ran up her spine and she started to realize how cold the dorm was. She covered her chest with her arms, trying to stay warm. Suddenly she felt an arm around her waist and another come across her shoulder. Someone else was with her in the room, on the bed. She couldn't turn to see who it was, their grip wasn't particularly hard or constraining, but when ever she tried to turn they would always be right behind her head. She could tell it was a man by the size and shape of his arms.

"Who are you?" she said it as she held their arm.

"Warmth."

As he said it, Kara could feel heat coming from the other persons arms, she felt like she was basking in the sun. All her fears melted in the arms of someone she didn't know. She closed her eyes and leaned back into the man behind her. Only to find he was no longer there. She tried to grasp the arms that were on her, but they had gone. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was the only one there. The warmth was still with her but she didn't know where he had gone.

She left the dorm, no worse for wear, and went back to Carlos' dorm. She couldn't make sense out of what had happened. Who had been there and how could they move so fast? Kara looked down on the table and saw a note. It had her name on it. It said...

Dear Kara,

I'm sorry I couldn't stay but I needed to get back. You know me well; you just didn't realize who it was. I can't tell you now, you will ask questions and I have no answers to give you. All you need to know is that I'm here for you, and you will never lose me.

Comforting arms.

Kara was dumb struck, how had this man gotten from my dorm to Carlos', written a note and left faster then Kara could get there, and still do it silently and unseen? And further more, how did he know Kara so well?