Fan Fiction ❯ A New Existence ❯ The Full Story ( Chapter 5 )

"Oh COME ON, Loki, put me down!" A young female whose long hair was split into two braids kicked her feet as a blonde male lifted her up and carried her out to where a brunette man was standing, waiting. "You know the rules, Cherry. You're supposed to stick with us or you'll cost us our wings!" He growled, meeting the taller male at the beginning of the highway. "I see you found our stray. Where was she?" The brunette asked, staring at the younger girl in the Catholic school uniform, complete with a black Rosary. "That bar, slamming down drinks with a bunch of bikers." Loki set the girl on her feet and cracked his back. "Sweet Jesus you weigh a lot Cherry."

"You're just jealous that God let me keep my humanity and still be immortal." She growled at him and pulled a cigarette from the box at her hip, lighting it before turning to the taller male. "Bartleby, tell Loki that he's just jealous." She purred childishly as she leaned against him for support. "You're jealous, Loki. Now pick the little lady up and let's get going." Bartleby answered, starting down the road with his thumb stuck out for a ride. Loki lifted the girl back into his arms and grunted under her weight. "Cherry, can't you walk?" he asked. "No. I told you to carry her, Loki. We can't have her straying away again." Bartleby answered, staring out at the dark road. "But she's so damn heavy!" Loki grumbled, struggling to keep the girl still as she giggled and dropped her cigarette. "Look, we'll trade off later. Just hold her for now or she'll puke all over the place again." Bartleby continued down the road, pausing as a huge Ford pulled over. "Where yea headed?" Came the driver's gruff voice. "Jersey." Bartleby watched as Cherry began to kick her feet again, making Loki hold her at his hip like a child. "Well, I can take yea to the Greyhound station in Illinois, but no further than that." Bartleby nodded and climbed into the back of the truck, holding the door open for Loki and Cherry.

The younger female seemed to fall asleep in Loki's arms, snoring and sighing softly as the driver started down the highway again. "Can't we dump her off at the next turnpike or something?" Loki muttered as she snuggled closer to him. "Come on, Loki. She isn't that bad. Besides, You-know-who would get REALLY pissed if we dumped her like that. It's not right." Bartleby closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as if he had a headache. "But she gets so annoying. We've lost two days trying to keep her out of trouble!" Loki seemed really irritated now, probably from lack of sleep and the fact that HE was the one who had to chase after Cherry when she ran off.

"Look at it this way, she loves you. She loves me. She's like a child, man. She's become so attached to us these past few years, she loves to be around us. Do you really think life could go back to the way it was if we got rid of her?" Loki shook his head. "I guess not, but can't we do something about her drinking? I'm sick of cleaning her up after her projectile episodes." Bartleby chuckled. "Just think of her as a baby. A really big, nineteen-year-old baby." The driver stared at the trio in the back of his truck and shook his head. "Nutters." He grumbled, speeding down the empty highway.

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Cherry woke up in Bartleby's arms as he walked out of the Greyhound bathroom. " What... where am I?" She asked, sitting up a bit. "Illinois. You fell asleep last night and puked all over Loki. The driver dumped us off at Mooby's over an hour ago and made us walk. " He chuckled a bit and turned to see his companion shaking his head, wearing a new set of clothes. "You did this, I hope you know. YOU got me filthy and got us kicked out of that guy's car." Loki pointed an accusing finger at the younger girl who pouted and looked away. "I'm sorry, Loki. I didn't mean to..." She trailed off and stood, pulling a new cigarette from her pack, walking out of the station to light it.

"Good going Loki." Bartleby hissed, following the teen. She sat on the curb, taking long drags from the Marlboro light. Tears caressed her cheeks, tears that were not made of salt, but blood. "Oh... Bartleby..." She looked away and sniffed, trying to wipe up the crimson mess. "What's wrong, Cherry? What are you crying for?" He asked, offering her his shirt sleeve. "Loki hates me, doesn't he? All he does is complain about me." She asked, looking back at him. "He doesn't HATE you, Cherry, he's just frustrated by you. " Bartleby wiped away the rest of her tears and watched her start to laugh. "Bullshit, Bartleby. I heard you guys talking about me. He wants to dump me off." She whined a little and hung her head. "Jesus Christ, my head hurts." She grumbled, rubbing her forehead. " I can go get some aspirin, if you want..." Loki came up behind the two looking very sorry for what he had said. She turned around and smirked. "If it's not too much trouble... like me." She grinned when his mouth dropped open. "I'm only joking Loki. Go ahead and get it. In fact, that gun store you wanted to go to is right around here, isn't it?" She asked, standing. "Yeah... why?" Loki asked, looking suspicious. She grinned again. "I wanna buy myself a new toy. Something big. Something that will blast the SHIT out of anyone who crosses me." Bartleby looked at Loki and shook his head. "There's no room for one in that tiny skirt of yours, Cherry." He said softly. Cherry raised an eyebrow. "That's why I'll get Loki to carry it. You'd do that for me, wouldn't ya Loki?" She winked and twisted her rosary around her fingers. Loki laughed. "Yeah, I'll carry it, but you know, that 'sexy lil innocent school girl' stuff doesn't work on me."

She smiled at him and flicked her cigarette to the ground. "And that's why I wish you were a human. I bet we could have some real fun Loki, it's a pity God didn't change you..." She turned and walked towards the shop labeled ' Mike's Pistol Palace.' Bartleby laughed at Loki's shocked expression. "Dude, I TOLD you she liked you." Loki just punched him and followed her to the shop.

"This one here is perfect for you, little miss. 9 mm automatic with detachable silencer. " The man behind the counter in the gun shop handed Cherry the silver gun. "Well... it's a bit small, don't you think?" She asked, handing it back. The man scratched his head. "I guess so... what do you have in mind?" He watched Cherry scan the wall behind him, spotting a gun that looked about a foot long; black with a silver handle. " That one!" She cried as Bartleby and Loki walked in. "The Avenger? Are you sure Little Miss?" His eyes were wide as she impatiently nodded.

"All right then," The shop keeper took the gun down and handed it to her. "Wow... Loki, look. Isn't it gorgeous?" She pointed it at the wall and pretended to aim. "You should feel this, Loki. The power is so... " She shivered and looked at the shop keep. "How much?" "$25,000, Miss." "TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!? Are you mad???" She screamed, nearly dropping the gun. "Yes, twenty-five thousand dollars. If you don't like it, don't buy it." The man leaned forward to take it from her when she wrenched away. "Is this loaded?" She growled.

"Yes..." The shop keeper looked a bit suspicious as a slow grin spread across Cherry's lips. "Then you'd be willing to give it to me for less if I shoot your nuts off, right?" "Cherry, don't this guy hasn't done anything. You can't kill him." Loki said softly, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I want this gun, Loki, so if this guy's balls are the price to pay, then I'll pay it." Her voice was very soft as she started to pull the trigger.

"TAKE IT! TAKE IT! Take anything! Just don't shoot my nuts off!" The guy shouted, putting his hands up. Cherry smiled. "Thank you very much sir. Loki, Bartleby, you heard him. Find something, take it and we'll get out of here." She snagged a box of bullets and stuffed them down her shirt.

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The bus pulled over at a rest stop and the trio walked out. They were somewhere near Springfield and it was about four-thirty in the morning. "Why'd we get off?" Cherry asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "We needed to get away from there. That old lady was bothering me. Her sin-filled aura was bothering me." Loki grumbled, yawning. "But... I was sleeping, Loki." Cherry whined, stretching her arms. Bartleby paused and squatted. "Get on. I'll carry you if you're that tired." Cherry nodded eagerly and put her arms around his neck while he held her on his back. "Oh man... piggy-back? Come ON Bartleby. How ridiculous can you get?" Loki laughed at his friend as they walked away from the bus. "So, you guys never told me why we're going to New Jersey." Cherry said softly, yawning again. Loki and Bartleby looked at each other and then paused in their walking. "Um... " "It's a surprise." Bartleby answered, motioning Loki forward.

"Oh..... OK." She closed her eyes and fell asleep, leaving the two Angels to talk amongst themselves. "Don't you think we should tell her soon, Bartleby? I mean, we can't leave her out of this." Loki asked, kicking a soda can in front of him. "I don't know. I can't see her going with the plan." Bartleby sighed. "But she's all for the Mooby plan. She even 'bought' a gun, man." Loki reminded the taller male. "Still. It might not be safe to tell her about it until we get there. Just don't let it slip. Neither of us can slip up."

Loki just nodded and the two didn't talk again until they came across a motel. After breaking into one of the rooms, Bartleby set Cherry on a bed and sat down next to her. "Damn... you were right. She IS heavy." Loki laughed and shook his head.

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Cherry woke up to the sound of Loki's loud snores and looked around. Moonlight poured in from the curtains as she stood up and went to the bathroom to clean herself up. After taking a shower, she came back out to find that both Angels were still asleep. She smiled to herself and pulled her make up bag from the sweatshirt lying on the floor. Loki had loaned it to her a few nights ago when they started this little journey to keep her warm. After fixing herself up, she donned the sweatshirt and reached into Loki's other one, one that he was still wearing.

After she pulled out the gun she had stolen from 'Mike's Pistol Palace', she tucked it away and kissed Loki's cheek. "Good-bye guys. It's been fun." She whispered, walking out of the room onto the highway where she hitched her skirt up and flagged down a car that was blasting their music loud enough to hear about a mile away. "WHERE YOU HEADED???" The driver asked, shouting over the music. "WHERE EVER YOU ARE!" She answered. The woman who sat in the back, opened the door and let Cherry in.

"CAN YOU TURN THE MUSIC DOWN A BIT JAY?" The woman was a bit older than the men in front and was trying to get their attention. The music was lowered to a small buzz and the man with the long blonde hair and ski cap turned around in the driver's seat to look at Cherry. "So, how you payin' for this ride?" He asked, smiling at her rather wolfishly. "What do you mean by 'pay'?" She asked, narrowing her brown eyes. "I mean, are you gonna give me or Silent Bob head or a hand job for pickin' you up?" Cherry's eyes widened as she started to reach for her gun. "JAY! Stop being such a pig. It's MY car, not yours. Don't worry about it. What's your name?" The older woman asked. "C-Cherry. Just.... Cherry." She answered. "And you guys are?" " My name is Bethany Sloane and these two assholes are Jay and Silent Bob." Cherry gave a little smirk. "Is he aware that your car is going to blow up if you keep going at this speed?" She pointed at Jay, who was too interested in the song on the radio to care about the car, or which lane it was in. "JAY! PULL OVER!" Bethany cried, smacking Jay across the back of his head. The quartet climbed out of the car to check the engine and weren't very surprised when it smoked profusely. "Whoops..." Jay mumbled, looking to Silent Bob. Cherry shook her head. " Great this is so FUCKING great. I run away for a good time, and I meet YOU three and now, I'm stranded!" She screamed, pulling out her pack of cigarettes to find it empty. "Oh... beautiful. Just beautiful." She threw the pack to the ground and let out a shrill scream. "WHAT DID I DO??? HUH? WHAT DID I DO TO YOU!?????" She pointed at the sky as she clenched her fists.

Silent Bob walked over to her and offered her a cigarette from his own pack. She looked at him and smiled slightly. "Thanks." She let him light it for her and took a very long drag, holding it for a few seconds as Bethany tried to flag down a bus that was speeding past them. "That shit wont work, ma'am. I learned that the hard way. " She sighed and settled herself in the back seat, playing with her rosary.

"So, Cherry... what's with the name? You a virgin or something?" Jay asked, leaning against the car. "Not that it's any of your business, but, yes. I am. What's it to you?' She growled, sitting up. "Well, are you waiting for a fat man in a overcoat to pop that sweet little cherry of yours?" Jay grinned and looked towards Silent Bob who frantically shook his head. Cherry growled and pulled her gun out, pointing it straight at Jay's head. " Listen you little fuck, I don't have time to play games so you better STOP being such a pervert or I'll shoot your head off, and NOT the one I'm looking at right now!"

"WHOA! Where'd you get THAT?" Bethany cried, staring at Cherry with eyes the size of dinner plates. "Bought it to keep perverted little fuckheads like him away. Never thought I'd get the chance to actually use it..." She grinned maniacally and steadied her hand. "HEY! Come on, Cherry, I didn't mean nothin' by it! I swear! It was just a question!" Jay shouted, looking very frightened by the presence of Cherry's gun. Silent Bob nodded furiously and waved his hands as if to say, 'He was joking! Don't shoot him!'. Cherry huffed and lowered her gun, tucking it away. "Little bitch. So afraid to take a bullet or two..." She shook her head and laid back down, closing her eyes to resume sleeping.

But she couldn't sleep. She could only think of how Bartleby and Loki were going to react when they found her gone in a few hours. * They wont come looking for me, I know that for a fact. Loki might suggest it, but I know Bartleby is too obsessed with going to Jersey to even think twice about it....* She sighed sadly and flicked her cigarette out of the car, curling up on the seat as she cried silently.

Daylight soon came, and Bethany was furious with Jay and Bob by then. Cherry woke up to her rummaging through the back seat, and the men discussing if Bethany was going to fuck them or not. "NOBODY IS FUCKING ME! YOU GOT THAT????" She hollered, making Cherry jump up and hit her head. "Ow... fuck. Hey, Bethany! You want me to shoot these two fucks?" She asked, crawling out of the back of the car. Bethany shook her head and stared. "Cherry, you're-" "Listen lady, guys like us don't just fall out of the sky you know!" Jay yelled. Just as he said this, a man seemed to fall from nothing and crashed face down into the asphalt. Cherry screamed and jumped out of the car, running over to inspect him. "What the Hell?" She murmured. "Is he dead?" Bethany asked. "Dude, maybe someone threw him out of a plane with a note attached like in 'Con Air'. Did you see that flick?" Jay grinned and then jumped back as the man spoke. "Oh man, that sucked..." He grumbled, standing to full height. He was dark-skinned and very nude. Cherry blushed a little as she stood and looked away. "Oh my God! KILL IT! KILL IT!" Jay shouted, hiding behind Silent Bob. "Will you shut up?!" Cherry cried, shoving the blonde aside. "Er- Are you ok? What's your name?" Bethany asked, looking a little frightened. "Yeah, I'm fine and it's Rufus." The man answered.

Cherry stared at him. "R-Rufus?" She murmured. "Yes. And you're Cherry. Don't ask how I know you're name, because EVERYONE knows who you are." Rufus turned to Silent Bob and gave a slight nod. "Hey Big Papa, how 'bout lending a brotha' your coat until I find some threads of my own?" Silent Bob was a bit hesitant before handing over his coat. Cherry stared at Rufus curiously before he suggested that they go find something to eat. When they started walking, she ran up to his side and poked him. "Um... excuse me, but, I still want to know how you know who I am." She said softly.

"I know you, because you're the one they created to distract them and keep them out of trouble. But you haven't been doing your job, Cherry. We've all been watching you. Getting drunk, having sex, forgetting your purpose. You're lucky Christ was there to talk God out of destroying you." Rufus shook his head and continued while Cherry stopped dead in her tracks. "He... He wanted to destroy me?" She whined. Rufus nodded. "Come on, we have to keep moving.

Cherry followed behind the others, trying hard to believe what had just been told to her.

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Cherry sat stunned at a big, purple and yellow table outside of Mooby's family restaurant. Rufus and Bethany were too busy talking to even notice her until Silent Bob waved her over to their table. She shook her head and looked down at her Moo Moo Mooby Burger. She wasn't hungry, but Rufus had insisted that she eat something. She heaved a loud sigh and turned her back to them, searching around her pockets for an extra cigarette. When she couldn't find one, she growled and stood.

"Hey... Bob. Can I-" She paused. She was old enough to buy her OWN cigarettes. She didn't need some big guy in a coat to buy them for her anymore. "Nevermind... I'll get them myself." Rufus had other plans for her as she started to walk over the the liquor store. "Cherry, where the Hell do you think you're going? Get your skanky ass back here." Cherry whirled around. "Excuse me? " She cried, stomping over to him. "You heard me little girl, sit your ass down. Biggie, give her a smoke will ya? She's going to need it to stay alive after I explain what's going on." Rufus narrowed his eyes at the ebony haired teen.

Bob handed over a cigarette while Cherry sat down next to Bethany. "Now, Cherry, you know why you were sent here, don't you?" Rufus asked, biting into his second Egg'o Mooby-muffin. "To watch over Bartleby and Loki. You know, to keep them out of trouble." She answered, lighting the cigarette. "But instead, you are the one who's causing all of the trouble. Do you honestly think God would have created you so you could screw on the job?" Rufus eyed her as she turned away. "If God doesn't like it, why doesn't he send Metatron to scold me for being a bad girl again? Why'd he send you, Apostle?" She flicked the cigarette and smirked. "He didn't SEND me, I came here to help Bethany stop those two idiots from destroying everything God created from his own two hands." Rufus growled at her and the entire table jumped when she slammed her fist down on the top. "SHUT UP! They are NOT idiots! YOU'RE THE IDIOT, APOSTLE!" Tears were once again streaming down Cherry's cheeks as she glared at Rufus with a look of pure hatred. "What the shit? What the fuck is wrong with her eyes?" Jay asked, jumping up to get away from the table. "I swear to God if you weren't already dead, Rufus, you'd be laying flat on the ground with a little trickle of blood coming from that over-sized head of yours!" Cherry snarled and turned away.

"Is somebody going to tell me what the Hell is wrong with her eyes?" Jay asked again. Rufus chuckled. " She's not human. Well, she has a human body, but her blood is that of many Angels. Virginity, Temptation and Trouble. Three of Heaven's most notorious trouble-makers, were the base for her 'mold'. All three were sent to Hell after this little girl was created. She may look young, but she's not. Believe me, this woman is just as old as Bartleby and Loki." He paused when Cherry sat back down with her head in her hands. "She cries tears of blood, like the statue of The Virgin. God forgot to explain it to everyone else and it came as quite a shock to us when we witnessed it for the first time. But, as I was saying, she was created to watch over Bartleby and Loki, you know, to keep them distracted from anything else. But she hasn't been doing her job."

"How have I not been doing my JOB, Rufus? Have I NOT been keeping them out of trouble by causing it myself? We've been on an innocent little road trip to New Jersey for the past couple of days, you can't tell me there's harm in that!" Cherry sniffed and glared as her lower lip trembled. "Innocent little road trip? I think not, Cherry. Did the guys tell you WHY they were going to New Jersey?" Rufus asked calmly. Cherry shook her head. "Well, seems the boys have found another way to get back into Heaven, and you know what that means, don't you Cherry?"

"Everything... is erased from existence. But, why wouldn't they tell me? I mean, I know Bartleby probably would have kept his mouth shut, but Loki... Loki doesn't hide things from me!" She burst into a fresh round of tears and curled into a ball. "Why didn't they tell me? Oh GOD, why didn't they tell me?" She whined. Rufus put a hand on her shoulder. "Because, they know you would have tried to talk them out of it." "Isn't that what SHE'S here for?" She pointed at Bethany. " She's the last Scion, isn't she?"

Rufus quieted her down, people were starting to stare, and looked around. "Where are the Prophets?" "Great. I know where they are, I bet." Bethany pointed to a strip club across the street and the three walked over to the tiny building. Cherry was the first one inside and the first one to order a drink. "I know that woman!" Rufus hissed to Bethany while pointing to the woman on the stage, shaking her tits around to entertain the men around her. Jay and Bob sat rather close, bobbing their heads in tune to the beat.

Cherry gave a little laugh and shook her head. "Honestly, drooling over someone wearing next to nothing. Hell, I could give a better show than that." She muttered, sucking down her fourth shot of Jack Daniel's. "Oh really? Would you care to give it a try, little miss frumpy pants?" The woman on the stage stood with her hand on her hip while the men all stared at Cherry. "Shut your trap, Serendipity. I bet I could make more money just sitting here than you do, shaking your junk all over the place." She took her sweatshirt off and set it aside, unbuttoning a few buttons on her white blouse. She crossed her legs and started to play with her rosary, putting the little cross at the end into her mouth before ordering another drink. Serendipity shook her head and got of the stage to change. Both Jay and Bob stared at Cherry as she continued to slam down shot after shot of whiskey. "This is why God wanted to destroy her." Rufus muttered, pointing over at the innocent looking girl. Her face had been wiped clean of the crimson tears, but she still felt the pang of betrayal wounding her heart's rhythmic beat.

Rufus and Bethany sat down with Serendipity to discuss the Bartleby and Loki situation, well out of Cherry's hearing range. "So, what's she doing away from her post?" Serendipity asked, eyeing Cherry as she lay her head on the bar and yawned. "She was with the boys on this 'road trip', as she calls it, and snuck away from them. Seems she wanted to have some fun." Rufus answered. "When is she NOT having fun? I may be on Earth, but I'm not stupid. I DO get news from above. But this, this I didn't hear about. How's she taking the fact that Bartleby and Loki didn't tell her what they were really doing?"

"She started crying the second I insulted them. You know how that is... I think she might be, falling in love with them. " The Apostle took a drink of the beer handed to him by the Muse and shook his head. "Well, humanity DOES have that disadvantage. It would be a pity if she has fallen for them. God isn't going to like this at all. Remember how She almost destroyed her for killing someone because they called Loki a name?" Serendipity rolled her eyes. "That girl needs to watch out for herself, she's going to end up hurt one of these days."

Just at that point, Jay and Bob came over, both wearing red bandannas. "Check it out, they made me and Silent Bob part of their gang. " Rufus was about to say something when the door to the bathroom blasted open and the most disgusting smell wafted through the air. "Ugh... What the fuck?" Cherry murmured drunkily as she covered her nose with Loki's old sweatshirt. She stumbled over to the others and nearly passed out from the smell. "It's the Golgathan!" Serendipity cried, her hand pinching her nose. "A... what?" Jay asked, looking confused. "A shit demon, stupid!" Rufus answered.

"Is this smelly fuck with us?" Jay asked. "He came for Bethany! We need to get out of here, NOW!" Rufus shouted, turning to leave. Jay, however, turned to the group of Bloods and nodded. "Fuck him up fellas!" He ordered. Numerous shouts of 'Yeah!' and 'Represent!' echoed through the tiny bar as the group attacked the Golgathan. In a matter of seconds, the gang was destroyed by the shit monster. "Now... it's your turn." It growled, pointing at Bethany. "FUCK THIS!" Cherry screamed, pulling her gun out to shoot out the window above the bar. She started to climb on top of the counter when Serendipity screamed. "Cherry! Watch out!" the demon had fired a shit cannon that was headed straight for her.

The teen screamed again and scrambled through the tiny space, coughing hard as she struggled to breath the fresh air. She lay sprawled out on the dirt, panting as she looked up at the sky. "Why do you hate me?" she asked softly, closing her eyes. Rufus and the others met her there a few moments later, still smelling like shit. "Come on, we have to get moving..." Bethany helped her up and let her lean against her while they walked. "Hey, Bob. Do you think you could carry her until we get to the train station?" She asked, looking a little overwhelmed. Bob nodded and scooped Cherry up into his arms, noticing how light she was. Jay shook his head. "Lucky fuck." He growled.

They reached the train station and boarded just in time. Cherry had by then, come out of her drunken stupor and headed to the dining car with Jay and Silent Bob. "So, do you smoke weed or are you straight edge?" Jay asked. Cherry's eyes widened. "You have weed and you didn't tell me? Hand it over man!" She grinned eagerly at the blonde and waited impatiently as he lit the joint. She laughed when he coughed and took it into her own hand, taking a long hit, holding it in for what seemed like five minutes before she passed it back to Jay and exhaled. "Sweet Jesus that is good..." She smiled and noticed that the train was beginning to slow down. "Why are we stopping?" She asked. Jay and Bob shrugged and looked to the door as it opened.

Cherry's breath caught in her throat as she stared into Loki's blue eyes. Bartleby was right behind him and the two stopped before heading over to the booth. "You mind if we sit down?" Bartleby asked. Cherry shook her head and scooted over, letting Loki sit right next to her. A bright red flush had crept across her cheeks before she reached for the joint, hitting it twice before giving it to Bob. "So, what's your name?" Jay asked, nodding to Bartleby. "Oh, I'm Barry, and this is..." "Larry." Loki finished for him. Cherry giggled and bit her lip. * How geeky. * She thought, covering her mouth.

"You two smoke weed?" Jay asked, putting out the old, burned out joint. Cherry looked over at Loki and smiled. "Yeah, do you?" She winked and licked her lips. Loki shook his head at her but answered 'yes'. "Hey, you guys aren't getting into any trouble out here, are you?" Bethany asked, coming through one of the doors. "Nah, we were just about to smoke a fatty with these two suave motherfuckers who got on at the last stop. This is Larry and Barry." Again, Cherry giggled as Bartleby got up to sit next to Bethany at another booth. Cherry scooted closer to Loki and smirked. "You know... Larry, you look VERY familiar... do I know you from somewhere?" She purred, twisting her fingers around her rosary.

"Um... no, I don't think so." Loki answered, raising his eyebrow. "But, didn't we sleep in the same motel once? You came by to borrow some ice and got more than that..." She teased him, trying to keep her giggles silent. "Nope." He turned back to Jay, who had just finished hitting the new joint. "Hit that shit, man." He passed it over to Loki and pounded his fists on the table. Loki looked at the joint and lowered his head, pretending to hit it before passing it to Cherry. "Good stuff..." he said softly. Cherry pursed her lips and shook her head. She took her own hit and reached across the table to Bob.

Slowly, she turned Loki's face to hers and blew the smoke in his direction. "You big baby... you took such a little hit." She grinned when he looked away. "Er- I have asthma." He answered. In a booth behind them, Bartleby and Bethany sat talking about their views on God and how they had lost their Faith. When Both Jay and Silent Bob had fallen asleep, Cherry turned to Loki and crawled into his lap. "Didja miss me, Loki?" She purred, locking eyes with him. "Um... well, I guess." He looked away. "Oh really? Did you miss me enough to come looking for me? Obviously not. Why didn't you tell me, Loki? Why didn't you tell me about the Loophole?" She pouted at him and bit her lip.

"Bartleby told me not to, I would have said something if he hadn't forbid me to do so." He answered.

Cherry shook her head and closed her eyes tight, one red tear trickling down her cheek. "How could you do this, Loki? You ALWAYS tell me everything!" She lowered her head, pressing her forehead against his. "How could you lie to me like that?" She didn't have enough time to burst into full on tears when Rufus came through the door into the dining car. "Where'd everybody go? I wake up and-" He stopped when he saw Bartleby. "Holy shit!" He cried. Bartleby looked up. "The Apostle." Bethany, who was wasted off her ass by then, stood up to introduce 'Barry' and was rewarded with Bartleby pressing a broken beer bottle against her throat. "LOKI!" He shouted. Loki turned around and stared. "Oh FUCK!" He pushed Cherry to the side and stood up.

"Hey, what are YOU doing here, Apostle?" He asked. "Stop asking questions Loki, kill the woman!" Bartleby ordered. "Take it easy Bartleby, let her go... we can talk about this, man!" Rufus put both hands up. "B-Bartleby?" Bethany cried, trying to wrench away. "Loki, I said 'Kill her!' " Bartleby growled again. "Dude, I can't kill her if she hasn't done anything wrong!" "Fine, I'll do it myself!" Bartleby pressed the sharp glass against Bethany's throat and glared at Rufus. "So tell me, are Loki and I supposed to be liquidated for this?" He hissed.

"You haven't thought about the consequences of your re-entry!" Rufus shouted. "Consequences, schmauncequences, we're going home!" Loki growled. Cherry stood up and put an arm around one of Loki's. "Liquidated, you mean... she's supposed to KILL them? NO! NO WAY! I wont allow it!" Cherry heaved, waking up Jay. "What the fuck, what's this all about?" He asked, standing up. "Shut him up..." Bartleby ordered. Loki turned and moved Cherry out of the way before he punched Jay flat onto the table.

Bob gave a surprised gasp and then stood up, pushing Loki to the ground. "NO! GET OFF!" Cherry jumped on top of Bob and beat his back with her fists. "Leave him alone! He didn't do anything to you!" She pulled at Bob's long brown hair as she struggled to get him away from Loki. Bartleby and Rufus were now wrestling for control over the broken bottle. "Biggie! The door! Get the door!" Bob nodded and pushed Cherry aside, dragging Loki to the door.

"Can't we talk about this?" Loki asked as Bob opened the door and lifted him up. "NOOO! LOKI!!!!!!!!!!" Cherry screamed, standing up. She ran over to Bob just as he tossed Loki from the train. "LOKI!" Bob pulled Cherry back as she started to dive out after the Angel. Bartleby was the next one out the door. Bob closed the door and waved, sighing as he lit up a cigarette, ignoring Cherry's frantic sobbing. He looked to a man who looked utterly bewildered that he had just thrown someone from the train and pointed.

"No ticket."

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Cherry sat next to Rufus, her hands covered in blood as she sobbed louder and louder. "WHY DID YOU THROW HIM FROM THE TRAIN???" She screamed at Bob for the tenth time. He just shrugged and motioned to Rufus as if to say, 'He told me to!'. "You could have just thrown Bartleby... just Bartleby, NOT LOKI!" She turned her face away from the others and sobbed harder. "Why, may I ask, did we get off the train? We were safe, weren't we?" Bethany asked. Rufus shook his head. "Number one rule, if your enemy knows where you are, don't be there."

"But why are we enemies?" Bethany had a very confused look in her eyes as she stared at Rufus. "I would count the person sent to kill me as an enemy, wouldn't you?" He retorted. Bethany stared, along with Cherry. "What are you talking about? I thought I was tapped just to talk them out of going through that arch?" She eyed Rufus warily and was slapped in the face by some new information. She was the last Scion.

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