"Frank, if we're going to take the Redwing person on... we're going to have to be well prepared." Tellka told Frank. I didn't say anything. I had been listening to those two talk for a bit now, but my mind was still on what I Frank has said earlier. I found myself looking at the emblem on his jacket every so often. It was so odd, I hadn't seen anything like it.

"We are, so we can go anytime we can." I glanced up at Frank as he said that.

"No we're not. You're extremely tired. I can tell that by just looking at you." I wasn't about to let him go out and fight that Redwing guy when he looked so tired.

"Kate's right, Frank. Just how long have you been up?" Tellka studied him.

Frank scratched his head. "I don't know... what time is it now?"

"There's a clock on the wall behind you." Tellka motioned.

Frank turned and looked at the clock. "Let's see. I came here a little after eight this morning... When I left Lunarvale, it was around three in the afternoon, and I woke up at six thirty to get to school on time... That means I've been up for... a really long time now, and fighting off demons really didn't help me." he said before rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I've been up for a lot more then half the day..."

"Then rest a little bit." Tellka's voice had a bit of a stubborn tone to it. Kind of like she wasn't going to take no for an answer. I looked back down at the little emblem.

"Please... I don't want you to get hurt or anything." I wasn't sure why I said that, but I felt their eyes on me after I did. I suppose I must have sounded kind of stupid or something, but appearently it worked, because I noticed Frank throw his arms up in a bit of defeat.

"All right... you win... I'll take a short nap. Wake me up in about half an hour, and no later."

"We'll wake you up." I nodded without looking up from the emblem. I don't know why, it was just.. neat.

"Thanks." Frank said, and walked over to the desk, sat down, and laid his head upon the surface. Before he fell asleep he removed his rapier from his belt and leaned it against the desk.

"Out of curiosity, Frank..." I heard Tellka start to say. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen..." he replied sleepily. I watched him as he fell asleep and turned to Tellka.

"What was that for?"

Tellka shrugged. "I was just curious." I gave her an odd look and stood up from my seat. I was still wearing Frank's jacket. It felt kind of odd, but it was warm, so I kept it on. I thought for a moment.

"I suppose the collusuem is closed now huh?" Tellka glanced over at me. "I mean.. why would we even think that that Redwing guy is still here?" I looked around the room. I didn't really like the thought of having to get into a fight with this guy. From what Frank had said, I was already scared of him.

"Kate, I was going to keep you out of this. It's by your request that your coming, and you can still change your mind."

I shrugged. "But.. I really don't want to change it. I'm going to do this Tellka." I walked over to where Frank had laid his rapier and picked it up carefully, examining it.

"Kate, put that thing down." Tellka looked over at me.

"I won't do anything, Tellka. It's not like I'm swinging it around or anything." I didn't look up from the weapon.

Tellka sighed and looked around the room. She wandered over to where Frank had rested his gun against the wall earlier. I glanced up to Tellka pick it up.

"Maybe you should be carefull..." I eyed Tellka as she shifted the gun around in her hand.

Tellka rolled her eyes. "I'm the one with weapon experience here.. Hey, what does this do?" I watched her flip something.

CLICK

I looked over at Tellka curiously. She glanced back at me. "I don't know if that was a good thing but I'm going to try and undo it.." She started fiddling around with the gun a bit more.

"Um.. Tellka?"

"I know what I'm doing.. now.. was this it?" She pulled on something and it moved a little.

"Tellka.."

"No wait, I think I found it.. it.. just.. won't.. move.." She started pulling on something. I was still holding the rapier and started towards her to try and help her.

BLAM

I jumped backwards at the loud sound. Tellka dropped the gun. Bits and pieces of dust and ceiling fragments showered down on her and she ducked her head.

"I guess you turned the safety off and pulled the trigger." I heard Frank say. I guess he woke up when the noise happened.

Tellka coughed and shook her head trying to get the dust out of her hair.

"What kind of gun is that? I've never seen anything like that here in Windia." I looked at it laying on the floor.

Frank picked it up off the floor. "It's a twelve gague shotgun, pump action. I got it from the Lunarvale Police Department." I watched as he pumped it and something fell out of it and bounced around the floor.

"Why do you carry both a gun and a rapier? Wouldn't it be easier to use just one weapon?" Tellka was busy brishing herself off. I think she had gotten most of the dust off.

Frank thumbed the safety on the shotgun. "Nate discovered that using a Persona constantly can drain you physically. Therefore, he got some weapons from the police station for us to use." His answer brought back floods of confusing that I had just gone through earlier. I glanced over at Tellka. "Besides..." Frank continued. "Some demons couldn't be hurt by normal weapons, but guns worked wonders against them."

I saw Tellka nod. I stood there, waiting for it all to sink in.

"How long have I been asleep?" Frank asked.

"A little more then half an hour. Here." I took off the jacket and handed it back to Frank.

"Thanks. I feel better." Frank buttoned up his jacket, and then slung the shotgun on his back.

"Are we ready?" Tellka asked impatiently.

"I guess so..." Frank took the rapier from me.

"Kate..." I heard Tellka's voice in my mind again.

"Please... I have to do this... for my mother..." I replied quietly. Tellka and Frank both looked at me.

"You have a quite a bit of honor in you."

"You sure you want to do this?" I heard Frank ask. I only nodded in reply.

"Then let's go!" Tellka said impatiently. She opened the door and looked out. Suddenly she slammed it shut again and turned around.

"What's wrong, Tellka?" I looked at her curiously.

"I... think you both better have a look outside..." She said quietly and stepped away from the door.

Frank stepped up to the door and opened it a litte. I followed and glanced out the door. Suddenly my face went pale and I heard Frank mutter something under his breath.

Out in the colluseum, I could see many demons roaming the area. The only problem was, they were keeping us in the room..

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com