Author Note: This Fanfiction, along with my other works can now be found on AO3 under Jethisis

In the drizzling rain, the headlights of the bus could be seen through the distant tunnel, and a flutter of excitement filled May through her exhaustion.

Abigail stood with May beneath an umbrella, each holding a mug of coffee; Abigail's was filled with with more milk and honey than the bitter drink itself. She sipped it slowly while pushing the twelve buttons rather quickly with her thumb. "My dad doesn't even believe we had an early night," She scoffed in annoyance, taking another deep drink. "He texted me yesterday at eleven to ask me to work today, and sent me like five other texts asking where I was and why I wasn't answering him." It was clear Abigail wasn't a morning person, but May couldn't help but chuckle. "I told him I'd be at the store before 9 but-"

"He isn't up?" May asked with a loud yawn. After her phone call with Sebastian, she could barely fall back to sleep, and before she knew it, her 5:30 alarm to pick up Micheal was going off. She drank one coffee thus far, and topped up her mug before leaving with Abigail.

"Yeah... Did you even sleep at all last night?"

May only shook her head no, but the discussion would have to wait; the bus engine was humming as it rolled to a stop and the doors opened.

Micheal stood behind the driver, giving him a serious talk but speaking rather loudly. "- On the twenty second. I don't even believe the Valley's a real place and you can't just leave me here, got it? This place will be gone and I will be swallowed with it." The bus driver only gave Micheal a perplexed look while he hopped off; he, too, was still in his pyjamas, and holding a duffle bag over his shoulders. Micheal turned around suddenly and gave the bus driver finger guns. "Was good talking to ya James!" The driver shut the doors abruptly.

May could only sigh. "Did you harass the bus driver the entire way here?" She asked in a sarcastic manner, but her arms spread wide for a hug.

Micheal nearly dove into May's embrace, spilling half of her coffee onto the grass. "To be fair, I was only up for an hour."

"That's an eternity for being around you." However, May squeezed him tightly.

Micheal pulled back, his hand softly slapping May's cheek. "Admit it May-Day, you *missed* me." She used her forearm to shove him back a foot, and he turned his attention to Abigail. "And who might this lovely madam be?" Micheal asked in a gallant manner, bowing to her.

May rolled her eyes while Abigail snorted. "I'm Abigail," She introduced politely, offering Micheal her hand awkwardly.

"Well, I am just charmed." He said, re-shouldering his bag and marching past the girls. "Now, lets go see this farm of yours!" He made a left hand turn and nearly skipped towards town.

May shouted towards Micheal while leading Abigail back down towards her house. "Right hand turn! Remember?"

Micheal turned on his heal with some elegance and marched in the proper direction. "Now see? Where would I be without you?" He asked.

Abigail looked at May with a cocked brow. "Him and Sam are gonna get along great."

May nodded in agreement, quickly chugging back the last half of her drink. Micheal's pattering feet had finally caught up to them. Once the wooden walls of the shack came into light, Micheal couldn't resist rushing ahead. Abigail sped up with Micheal, unable to help but join in on his excitement. May lazily walked though, her bones were stiff and her eyes felt heavy still.

"Holy shit May!" He exclaimed, dropping his bag by the front porch step. "You're a home owner!"

May shrugged; despite her fatigue, she couldn't fight her smile. "Yeah, pretty wild huh?"

"You have a house!" He shouted, nearly bouncing with excitement. "And Yoba! Look at all these plants!" His arms were spread wide, and he spun slowly, as if trying to truly embrace the farm life.

May and Abigail stood at the deck, and while she lit up a cigarette, Abigail took a seat on the wet surface. "Yoba, is he always like this?" Abigail chuckled.

"Kind of? It's cool though, just let him be excited," May smiled, but the underlining stress was killing her. However, she didn't want to tell Abigail of the mistake she may have caused. "I don't think Micheal's even seen a real plant since leaving the fern islands."

Through the simple blinds, the sun beams crawled against the stained-yellow walls in Marie's home, and shortly after, an alarm began to blare. May's hand slapped it roughly in an instant, a loud bellow of anguish escaping her throat as another day of work welcomed her. She rolled off her lumpy mattress and onto the floor, and steadily rose to her feet, yawning loudly. Her feet moved quietly as she walked over to her closet and slid the door open.

In her closet, Micheal was already awake and investigating his yellow cactus with a look of disappointment. "I think old Jon'te here has finally bit it," he said with a defeated whisper.

May rolled her eyes, her voice matching his hush tone. "I told you that heat lamp wasn't gonna cut it."

Micheal sadly touched it's tip, which immediately fell off the plant and into his lap. "Jon'te, I hardly knew you. You deserve a proper burial."

"Do you really mean that?"

Micheal stared up sadly, his eyes nearly watering. "No!" he exclaimed, handing her the plant like a child. "Can you ask Marie to help him?"

Though she took the plant in her hand, she let out a sigh of frustration. "I can but-" Her eyes stared pitifully at her friend, trapped in her closet. Her own eyes briefly glanced towards her bedroom door, fearing the monster that lurked beyond it. "When do you think your Mom's going to let you back in?"

Micheal flopped down on the spread of pillows he was using as a bed. "Whenever I get the money to pay for the hole in the wall."

May crossed her arms. "Why are you even paying for it, Jordan did it."

He sighed, collecting his uniform and stood up. "I'm sorry," He slid the door shut once more. "You were saying?" He asked from behind the barrier.

May stared up to her water stained ceiling in frustration; there was no winning when Micheal was like this. "At least keep it closed 'til I'm dressed." She muttered annoyed with Micheal avoiding the conversation. After setting the cactus on her milk-crate table, she stripped away her shorts and t-shirt. It took her seconds to change into her undergarments before Micheal began scratching behind the closet door, like a curious cat who was locked out of a bedroom. May frowned at the closed door, pulling on her skirt and zipping up the side.

She picked her yellow shirt off the floor; it was worn the day before, and she was deciding if it was clean enough to get away with for one more day. The door suddenly opening startled her, and she pulled the yellow fabric against her chest to cover herself. "What's that noise-" Chuck was nearly shouting until noticing May without her shirt, and suddenly his red face was from embarrassment.

"Nothing! Fuck!" She screamed, grabbing her shoe and throwing it at the door. "Get out!"

He slammed it shut, flustered from what he saw, but barked through the wood. "Don't you take that fucking tone with me! I'd have your fat ass out on the streets in seconds if it wasn't for that fucking Marie."

May's heart was racing wildly in her chest, frozen in fear. Her face was red with fury and anger. As Chuck's feet stomped down the hall, she pulled on the dirty yellow polo, her decision final; She was breathing heavily, her hands shaking.

Micheal opened the closet door, wearing his black pants, yellow polo and jacket. Rather than wearing his shoes, he held them in his hand. "Fuck that was scary," He said in a hushed manner. "How do you live like this?"

May could only shake her head, pulling on her stockings as quickly as she could, and pressed her ear against the door. Chuck was bumbling around in the kitchen loudly, slamming drawers and cupboards. She opened the door just enough for them both to slip out without making a noise. May led the way, walking against the wall, and when

Chuck's back was turn, May waved him pass the kitchen's archway. Micheal's feet were silent, only needing two steps to slip out of his vision, and for May to finally cross. Quickly, she stepped into her work-shoes and opened the door. Micheal slipped out quickly while she grabbed her coat, and sudden, heavy footsteps approached, May tried her best to follow Micheal out the door, not bothering to pull it on to avoid-

"Hey kid." Chuck barked.

May's left foot had only made it out the door, but not quick enough to avoid him. Chuck stood at the end of the hall, his beer belly hugged by his stained wife beater. An evil look filled his eyes as he watched May. Her heart was still as he glared at her with a vile hatred that May couldn't understand where it stemmed from; she always wondered if he blamed her for his ruined life. His frame took up the hall, and his face was cascaded in a shadow that would only make him look more dangerous.

"Remember what I said." He threatened.

May would try to match his shadowy, furious look, but knew the clock was ticking away, and she wasn't being paid to start another fight with Chuck. She turned, taking a deep breath in, and shut the door behind her. As she exhaled, it came out much shakier than intended.

May set her fork down on her empty plate, her stomach full and her head swimming with the last glass of wine.

"May, is your face red?" Micheal asked in a playful manner. His hand reached up, pinching her cheek as though she were a child, and she in turn swat his hand away. Micheal couldn't help but laugh. "When did you become a lightweight?"

May swirled the last of her wine with a smug-ish look. "About two months ago," She bragged.

Micheal downed the last half of his glass before waving Emily to their end of the bar. "Okay, okay, so you yelled at him and then what happened?"

May sighed while setting down the glass. Before speaking, she began nervously twisting the ends of her hair. "He hung up, and I didn't tell Abigail what happened, and I feel like a massive dick now... What if I messed everything up?"

Micheal cocked a brow, spinning the last of his spaghetti noodles onto is fork. "Well, you're good at sticking your nose in other people's problems." He insisted. "Always been, especially when you don't wanna deal with your own."

May rolled her eyes as Micheal took the last bite of his spaghetti. She rested her arms against the counter and her forehead on the surface. "I know, I know, I get all pushy and shit," She complained in a whiny manner, turning her face to Micheal. "But do you have any real advice to give?"

Emily's voice from behind the bar startled her. "About what, per say?" She asked.

May and Micheal looked to Emily, who smiled at them both with their bill in her hand. Micheal pulled out his wallet, asking very politely, for one final glass, while May pulled up her end of the bill. May shook her head, as if avoiding the answer, but Micheal spoke. "Oh, just May being nosy is all," He said, shaking May's shoulder with a small smile. "All she can really do is mind her business from now on."

Emily gave an awkward laugh while topping up Micheal's glass, unsure of what to say. As Micheal and May set their money on the counter, her eyes suddenly lit up, staring at Micheal's 550 G tip. "This is way too much, it's more than the meal itself!" She insisted. "I couldn't possibly-"

"Please, you must." He reached across the counter and gently tilted her chin upwards with a single finger; Gus kept a close eye from the far end of the counter. "I know the struggle of being a waiter-ess, so please, just take it."

Emily's eyes softened and a wide smile spread against her lips. Micheal pulled back his hand and tucked his wallet back into his pocket. Gus gave a short nod of approval before returning to his chat with Leah, while May and Micheal made their way towards the door.

"Man, I wish I got tips like that in the city," She sighed, remembering her horrible shifts at Mac's All Day Breakfast.

"I know my dear. People are horrible." He replied, opening the door for her.

As Micheal and May stepped out of the saloon, May made sure to take a sidestep around Shane; he didn't seem in too friendly of a mood, as normal. Micheal, however, delightfully bumped into him, and Shane turned with an annoyed glare. "Watch it,"

"Oh don't mind me," Micheal said with a look of delight and a slightly higher pitch. May could recognize Micheal's look of infatuation from a mile away. "I just wanted your attention." Shane only rolled his eyes at Micheal and turned his back to him. As Shane opened the saloon door, Micheal shouted rather loudly, "I'm Micheal, by the way!" Before the door could close.

May scoffed, but she couldn't help but chuckle. "That was embarrassing." She teased in a slightly snotty manner.

Micheal sighed, though it sounded more like a swoon, his eyes never leaving the door. "May, I found my true calling and it's here in the valley."

She rolled her eyes as well, and looped her arm through Micheal's, trying to direct him back towards the farm. "Don't get your hopes up." She insisted, trying to make Micheal move, but his feet were slow and his attention was still on the saloon door. "Shane's not exactly friendly."

"They're already sky-high, what am I suppose to do?"

Even though they were nearly a block away, May's heart was still racing in her chest. Her feet were moving quickly, nearly jogging towards work, and all the while she chain smoked. May hated fighting with Chuck, especially before a morning shift, and was not looking forward to returning home later that night. Her whole day could have been considered to be ruined, had Micheal not of been there; he worked hard to try and get her spirits up.

"Who Is Mac anyway?" Micheal asked, leading their speed-walk to the diner. His hands were shoved into his coat pockets and he shivered in the cool wind.

May shrugged. "I guess a food chain restaurant?" She guessed.

"But it's not even a chain!" May cocked a brow while Micheal fiddled with his phone and showed her the screen. 'No Matching Results'. "And I looked at the files in Amos's office; some lady named 'Samantha Mariah' owns it."

May shrugged, making it seem obvious. "Maybe it's her husband?"

"Her name is way too hot for her to be married."

"Why are you snooping around Amos's office anyway?" She asked, shoving him. "You're gonna get us fired."

Micheal shrugged. "It was bound to happen."

May grabbed his shoulders, the restaurant coming into sight. "Dude, I need this job, Chuck can't be jumping on my back about the rent anymore and if you get me fired too and I get kicked out I will actually choke you with your hair."

"Yikes," Micheal said, but a playful grin remained on his face. "Chuck has you Spooked!" He mocked, skipping down the side of the building and towards the kitchen entrance.

May frowned, following him quickly. "I'm serious man, he's fucking scary."

"He's a little bitch!" He exclaimed, spreading his arms wide after pulling the door open. "What do you think-"

"Hey!" A stern shout came from the back; Amos, a bald headed, middle-aged man frowned at the end of the counter, with his arms crossed. "You guys are late and were short staffed t'day, Micheal I need you on th'grill, May, you're doing all the tables." He began clapping his hands at them, as if to motivate them somehow.

Micheal muttered under his breath. "Sounds like someone needs a-"

"Lets go people! You're on the clock!"

The two passed a cocked brow that spoke volumes between them as they began their work, May trying to stifle her giggle at she turned the front sign from 'closed' to 'Open'. It only took minutes until the elderly of the city began flocking through the open door for the 'Tuesday Senior Special'. May slid down isles, taking orders and serving plates of hot eggs, sausage and homefries, while Micheal caused havoc in the kitchen. Pancakes had to be flipped over, with Micheal inscripting secret messages in the top, stating May was a nerd or that their boss sucked. May spent half the day hiding Micheal's minor sabotages, all the while trying to keep her laughter to a minimal.

The sun was beginning to shine through her opened window, signifying another day come. May's head was a tad groggy was she sat up, rubbing her eyeballs and attempted to roll out of bed, but was blocked by a sleeping body. Micheal must have crawled in with her while she had slept, but May had no problem with it, other than-

May's elbow dug into Micheal's back, his long, skinny dreadlocks collecting in her face. "Move, I gotta do my work."She grumbled; though she only had two glasses of wine the night before, her head throbbed weakly.

Micheal's head lifted slightly and face her, though his eyes didn't open. "It's too early for work, go back to bed, May."

May frowned, knowing it'd be easier to climb over and start her day without him. However, waking up beside Micheal put more ease on May, and a sense of lost familiarity washed over her. She grabbed one of his locks and tugged on it repeatedly. "Let's go, city boy," She teased with a wide smile. "Day's just starting, and you're giving me a hand today."

His eyes peaked open, as if taking some offence. "City Boy?" He exclaimed, his head slightly lifting off the pillow, and his dark brown eyes peaking through his lashes and his tendrils of hair spilling over his face. However, it seemed too much to bare far too quickly, and Micheal nuzzled back down into the good pillow. "We did farming yesterday though." He whined, his eyes closing once again.

"Yeah, and that's what I do 'every, single, day'." She said with emphasis, now slapping the soft skin on his round cheek with every word.

"Gross," Was all Micheal could offer while he tried to drift back to sleep.

May crawled over him poorly, letting her knobby knees press into his thighs as she did so, forcing him awake. May stood up, stretching out her tired muscles and tried to enthuse Micheal for the day. "Come on, we got coffee outside," That didn't stir him at all, and May tried something else. "There's still a chicken outside for you to name." She mumbled gently.

Micheal's eyes shot open and his head lifted out of bed. "I forgot about the girls." He said with astonishment and nearly sprung out of bed. Micheal quickly pulled on clean pair of socks before slipping his sneakers on, and May grabbed two mugs, already wearing her boots. Micheal scooped up Smokey in his arms, and gave her head a quick nuzzle before bringing her outside and setting her on the deck.

May sat their mugs on the deck, and retrieved her watering can from her chest outside. She felt better today after a large meal and a heavy sleep; after returning the night before, the two were far too full and tired to do anything but lie down. They laughed and reminisced for about twenty minutes before their sleepy giggles turned into quiet snores. May was nervous to watch the video, knowing her and Micheal would be checking it out later, but it itched the back of her skull like a tick, and kept her distracted from Alex. She had nearly missed the red flag on her mailbox, which stood up straight and invited her to check the post. While Micheal slammed the coop door shut, May retrieved the single letter and sat on her porch to read it.

Dear May,

It feels awful strange writing to you, it's been years since I've actually written a letter to anyone, but I've been thinking of you and missing you dearly. The apartment's much quieter than I expected without you around, and I haven't seen Micheal lately either. It's a little lonely now, but I hope the valley is treating you well; Dad always said that it was the most beautiful, comfortable place. I bet you're fitting right in.

The citys been good, though fairly quiet since you left. I sent Shamus off to summer camp, though Chuck threw a fit over it. He's been acting a little more angry and careless than normal, but after being laid off and the bowling club closing down, I don't blame him. Shamus is going to be starting 4th grade, can you believe it? I hope he doesn't mind the extra work, but he's a smart boy.

I was just writing to see how you were. It's been such a while since we spoke; I'll ring you if I have the time, but if you do, please consider writing us back; Shamus and I would love to hear from you.

Yours, Aunt Marie.

It was more pleasant than a phone call, with no chance of Chuck cutting Marie's words short. However, May couldn't help but worry about Marie being alone with her boyfriend; Chuck left a sour taste in her mouth, and May could sense the tension that Marie written within the words. It disgusted May that even now, she was making excuses for him. She thought about the letter as she worked away on the few plants that didn't have sprinklers to care for them.

"May!" Micheal shouted from inside the coop; she wiped the sweat of her brow on the back of her hand, and shouted back his name. "Which Chicken is mine?" He called.

"The dark grey one! And it's not yours! You just get to name him!" May took a stroll behind the coop, checking on her small flower garden and collection of bee houses, which would need tending soon. May made a mental note of it, muttering to herself about farming plans and realized how Micheal was right, and how different she was now. She felt introspective for a moment, though it was cut short by the constant thumps, bangs and clucks from the hen house. "Micheal, what in Yoba's name are you even doing in there?" She asked while walking out along the side of the fence.

The door to the hut opened and closed and May gasped loudly. Micheal's arms and legs were covered in scratches, and holes in his clothing, speckled with blood. Her eyes widened, seeing several deep gashes on Micheal's face, and he, red-faced and out of breath. In his scratched up arms, the grey chicken squirmed, it's talons fighting to grab any inch of flesh it could reach.

Micheal held the bird high into the air in victory. "Behold! Diablo!"

The ashvault was cold against May's bottom as she leaned her head against the wall. A cigarette burned away between her fingers as she watched the passing grey clouds overhead. Her thoughts were no longer worried about Chuck, but the busy day she was dealing with. "What is it about Wednesdays that make old people want breakfast?" She muttered.

Micheal was aimlessly moving with his hands in his pocket; he wasn't wearing a jacket and he shivered in the slight wind. "I don't know, but I'm so sick of making soft boiled eggs."

"Look at this," May muttered in frustration, pulling out 250 G from her apron and her eyes rolling back. "I've seated at least 70 people today, half of them didn't even tip." She grumbled in a frustrated manner. Her phone buzzed in her apron, and she reached in to take it.

"At least you *get* tips today," Micheal muttered, taking a seat on the ground before May and extending his hand, wordlessly asking for the cigarette. May passed it over while skimming her message. "Being in the kitchen fucking sucks." Micheal leaned forward, glimpsing at May's shining screen and smiled with a big grin. "So, what does Jessie want?"

May's eyes lifted from her phone to Micheal's curious stare. She cocked a brow, trying to remain casual, but May's heart was racing with excitement. "She wants me to come over after work." Despite May being a lovesick fool, her gaze softened at Micheal as he took a slow drag off his cigarette. "I can help you sneak into the house before I head over there."

"No need, Mayonnaise," He said happily, passing the cigarette back.

May didn't feel right about it. "Are you sure?" She asked in a timid manner, taking a deep inhale of smoke and struggling to de-stress.

"Aww, are you worried about lil' ol' me?" His fern accent came out heavily as his hand ruffled the top of May's head.

May frowned, swatting his hand away. "I just don't want Chuck catching you is all."

"Never you mind, love." He insisted, taking the cigarette once more. "Marie can help me get in and Chuck won't even notice me there. I'm like a ninja, May!" He attempted a jump kick, only to end up clumsily stumbling. "Look, I can be quiet, I can be slick." He took a puff while walking towards May and crouching before her. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." His hand reached forward to tilt up her chin.

May, however, couldn't help but feel nervous about it; Micheal had never snuck in alone and Chuck was *extremely* threatening this morning. She opened her mouth, ready to try and disway Micheal from his outlandish idea, when all of a sudden, the door swung open, and Amos's bald head peaked out. His eyes seemed extremely tired and annoyed.
"C'mon! Back to work! I don't pay you kids to smoke!"

Micheal's eyes rolled back while offering May her cigarette back once more. "Fuck," He muttered, standing up once more. "Don't worry, 'kay?" He said in a kind manner. "Please, go on your date. You need it."

May's eyebrows furrowed, but Micheal slipped inside. She placed the cigarette between her lips once more, taking the quiet moment to quietly decide what to do.

Micheal was rubbing the length of his arms, wincing occasionally, as Maru stood before the two of them with her clipboard in hand. "So a chicken did this to you?" She asked in a skeptical manner.

"Yeah," Micheal said in a bashful way, giving an awkward chuckle. His hand nervously wrung together. "Well, you know how chickens are,"

Maru cocked a bro, unamused by the situation. "I surprisingly don't."

May sat beside Micheal her arms crossed and was trying her best to stifle her chuckles. "I told you not to harass the girls."

As the three of them discussed Micheal's medical situation, the door opened and Leah walked out of the office. She stopped before Maru and leaned on the counter, but before May could listen in, the door opened once more and Doctor Harvey emerged. "Micheal... Coorie?" Micheal rose awkwardly from his spot, while Maru handed over the patients' clipboard. "So, I see you were attacked by a... Chicken?" Before May could hear a snotty remark from Micheal, the heavy door had closed.

Leah stood before May with a wide smile and her hands in her pockets. "Heya neighbour." She said with her back resting against the counter. "Fancy seeing you here."

May lifted her head, staring up at Leah's tall form and gave her a slightly worn smile. "Oh, Hi Leah." May rose, aware of Leah's proud stature over her. "You in for a check-up?" She asked.

Leah laughed awkwardly. "Had a minor mishap." She pulled her hand from her pocket, wrapped in a gauze. "I was working on a sculpture and my hammer slipped."

May's brows rose with curiousity. "I didn't know you sculpted."

Leah ended up taking a seat beside May, suddenly intrigued with the conversation. "Oh yeah, I love it." She said with a grin, letting one leg cross over the other. May turned towards her, keeping quiet and allowing Leah to chat about her work. On and on she rattled about the differences between soft and hard woods, the different tools to get gentle angles, and the slip of her chisel which caused her hand to deeply bleed. "I normally just brush them off, but this time I nicked myself pretty good." May was still nodding along, almost intrigued by Leah's strong voice and passion for arts.

"I'd love to see your works sometime." May admitted with a gentle smile.

"I wouldn't mind if you came by for a look... So, is that you're boyfriend?" She asked with a slightly cocked eyebrow.

May shook her head no, her legs crossing on the chair. "A friend from the city, I've known him since I was a little kid."

"I always forget you came from Zuzu," Leah admitted. "You'd be surprised to know I did to."

May was rather surprised; Leah's woodland, local vibe was difficult to picture in the busy city of Zuzu. "How'd you end up in the Valley then?" May asked, knowing she only ended up out here due to poor circumstances.

Leah gave a small shrug. "Well," She started, her leg kicking. "I needed to get out, I guess... I use to live in a small town outside of Castle Village, but... We moved when I was in high school, and after being in the city so long... I just knew it was time." As Leah rambled about her departure, her phone began to ring a simple melody that sounded like a wooden flute. She pulled it out at first, but after reading the number, she slipped it back into her pocket, her gaze darkening ever so slightly.

"You can take that if you need to." May insisted.

Leah, however, shook her head. "It's not really anyone I want to talk to." She admitted, though she did sound defeated.

Micheal finally emerged from the back room, his arms covered in bandages, and Doctor Harvey chatted briefly with Maru. Micheal, however, approached May and Leah and showed off the bandages that covered his forearms. "I got all of the stitches and four shots." He said with a wide grin, as if it were a brag.

May couldn't help but snort, while Leah cocked her head with a sense of confusion. "This is my friend, Micheal." She introduced shortly.

May felt as though she were on top of the world as she made her way down the dark streets from Jesse's house. The night out was desperately needed, and a wide grin was spread against her face. Her hands fiddled with her pockets, playing with her phone and hoping Jessie was still going to call her tonight.

An ambulance flew by her; though normally she wouldn't think much about it, as the vehicle pulled into her apartment's complex, May immediately thought the worst. She sprinted as fast as her legs would move, pounding against the freezing sidewalk. Before she could reach the building, the lights were flashing and the sirens blaring as it sped off.

After climbing to her floor and opening the front door, May already knew the paramedics were at her home. The house was a mess, plates thrown and a wall punched in. Marie knelt on the ground, picking up the large pieces of ceramic plate. May's stomach turned to ice, clenching and churning, and as she shut the door, Chuck emerged from the living room.

"Do you think my house is some kind of homeless shelter?" He demanded to know; Chuck's frame was much larger than her own, and despite her morning defiance, she was shaking in her boots. "You let that little shit Coorie into MY house, without my permission-"

Marie stuttered as she spoke. "Chuck, you can't be so hard on-"

"Shut up, Marie!" He shouted. The man dared to step forward, his hand roughly shoving May into the door. Her eyes immediately looked to her aunt for protection, though her eyes remained on the ground. "Look at me!" He demanded.

May's eyes nervously reached his. Chuck's face was a bright, fuming red. The whites of his eyes were tinted pink, perhaps from anger, or the heavy scent of beer lingering from his lips; it took all of May's strength to not cover her nose. His eyes bulged widely and his large frame cornered her like a beaten dog. May tried her best to keep her posture straight, to show he had no power over her, but Chuck already knew he did.

"Your on thin fucking ice, kid." His voice was quiet, but the rough edges of his voice cut through May's ears. "One more mistake, one more missed rent payment, one more fucking mistake, and your outta here. You understand me?" May didn't say anything, her tongue frozen and her body paralyzed. It took Chuck's fist slamming into the metal door that made her yelp in fear. "I mean it, I'll throw you right out this fucking door like I did to that little shit, Micheal."

Leah walked May and Micheal to the door, a wide smile on her face as she loomed in the doorway. "I'm glad you two stopped by," She said with a slight tilt of her head. "Are you guys going to be at the saloon on Friday? Maybe we could hang out again."

May explained Sam's upcoming party and was sad to decline. "I'll see you in the building, at least, Maybe I'll stop by and say 'Hi'."

Leah nodded her head, though a sombre look would cross her lips before turning to Micheal. "Well, It was really good to meet you, Micheal."

"Yeah, you too, Leah." He said with a grin. "Let me know if you ever end up doing that art show."

Leah gave an awkward laugh before closing the door.

The valley's sky looked almost like cotton candy as it dipped into the horizon, and by the time the two had returned to May's house, the stars began to glimmer. "I'm serious, May-bell, I think Leah has a thing for you."

May's eyes would roll. "Micheal, you think that about every person I hang out with."

"Okay, first off, it's not my fault that you're cute." May would snort, leading Micheal up the steps of her porch. "And second off, I'm being serious-"
"For once-"

"You saw how defeated she looked after you declined her drink offer! She's into you, May, why don't you shoot your shot?" Micheal asked. May said nothing, opening the door to her compact home and led Micheal inside, kicking off her boots. Micheal took a seat on the wood floor, continuing his ramble. "Do it, man! I mean, Alex and you are probably ending-"

Those words hit May like a train, and she sat down in one of her wooden chairs, leaning her back over the rest. A cathartic groan of frustration would cut Micheal's words short and her eyes would close as she wailed. The topic of Alex was difficult enough with another day of radio silence.

Micheal had walked over, and began shaking May's shoulders. "I'm sorry, okay? Sheesh!" He said loud enough he was heard over the obnoxious groaning. "If I was Alex, I'd leave you." May would stop in an instant and swat at Micheal in annoyance; however, he would laugh. "I know, mean joke."

May leaned forward now, resting her elbow against the table and cradling her head in her hands. "Man... What am I going to do?" She said in frustration.

Micheal walked over and carefully placed his hand on May's shoulder. "I don't know... but I do know is that we can spend the night being sad about Alex, orrr we can go be sad about the mysterious stranger named Sam, and watch the video."

May's stomach twisted with anxiety; she had been dreading watching it since she asked. However, the itch of curiousity was overwhelming her, and at this point, May was ready to not think about Alex, even if it was to watch a wartime video. Micheal set the video up on the TV while May moved to the couch; Micheal sat beside her, and let his legs sprawl across May's lap. She didn't bother to push them away as Micheal hit play on the video.

The screen lit up, showing them the wide horizon of the desert, and the aftermath of bombs that had went off.

"This is Micheal, leave a message at the tone, but I probably won't check it. -Beep-.

May left the house an hour before hand to stop at the hospital. The white or pastel walls and heavy scent of cleaning supplies made May's stomach twist nervously. It had been nearly 10 years since waking from her near death experience and never wanted to see the inside of this place again. However, a sense of guilt would fill her gut as she pattered to the front desk. The nurse didn't seem too enthusiastic to be there.

May cleared her throat, and the front desk woman nearly shot May a look of daggers; the knot in her stomach grew tighter. "I'm here to -uh- to see Micheal... Coorie?"

The woman's brows furrowed, while turning her attention to her computer. She typed a few things in, but as she spoke, her eyes remained on the glowing screen. "Micheal has requested no visitors at this time." Her voice was cold like the room, and May couldn't help but shiver. "So I suggest you carry on your way."

May wasn't sure what to say, her tongue felt dry and a well of panic flooded through her chest. The nurse didn't look at her, having nothing left to say. May swallowed, despite nothing being in her throat and turned on her heel. Her head bowed slightly in shame as she quickly walked out the front door. As she made her way through the parking lot, heading east towards Mac's All Day Breakfast, she couldn't resist glimpsing back at the hospital windows.

From the sidewalk, May could recognize him on the third floor, standing in front of the window. His hair was out of his face for once, tied back, and his arm was in a strange sling. His hospital gown hung loosely around him, but May couldn't see anything beneath his torso. She couldn't read his expression at all; May lifted her hand to wave, but Micheal would only pull the blinds down.