"You can't just leave!" Camry whined. It was undignified, this whining. It wasn't winning me over.

"Of course I can! I can just leave because, here's news, I just came. And out of nowhere. I don't remember sending out cards in advance." I huffed around the main room gathering my things together. It's amazing how they can wander off after only two days.

"Sure. But you didn't know us, didn't know me, back then."

To him, apparently, this made sense.

I shoved the last of the souvenirs and odds and ends (where in all this mess did I acquire a slinky?) into my new backpack and zipped it shut. This argument was already old and we had only just begun it.

Camry peered at me pleadingly. He had puppy dog eyes down to an art. "But then who's going to help you kill your alter ego? Face it, you can't leave with out me."

"For one thing, Mastess Mio and Psycho Meri will help me." I retorted. "That's the way it's always been. For another, you can't come, what with the emigration laws and all and you know it."

"Then I'll marry you!" he cried. He dropped to one knee with the dramatic flair that only a self-absorbed narcissist could posses.

I laughed icily. I didn't mean to, it just happened. I felt a twinge of guilt as his grin made a hasty retreat. "Was that a proposal?" I asked.

He glared at me.

"Puh-lease, Camry. I can get any guy I want. I can have a different one for each day of the week… the month, even. Why would I want to ruin all that being tied down to you?"

"Because I'm the only person who would still want to marry you after you said something so mean." He flashed a quick smile.

I couldn't believe I was considering this. There were so many reasons to say no! Instead, I sank into the nearest chair, closed my eyes, and rubbed my temples. I was getting another headache.

"Pretty please?"

I opened my eyes but refused to look at him. Something told me that was key.

"With sugar on top?"

This had to be the worst proposal ever.

"Nuts? Fudge? Carmel sauce and sprinkles?"

I glowered at him. "Camry!!"

He gazed at me adoringly. If that wasn't the cutest thing… "Fine. Fine, I'll marry you. But if you try to kiss me, other than at the ceremony, I'll kick your ass. Separate beds. Oh, and no annoying pet names."

"Already a better marriage than my parents."

"At least you don't expect much." I muttered.

"What was that?"

I stood up. "I said, I've got a few things to take care of first." I strode outside without so much as a backward glance and started to sprint. There was time to ponder all of this later. I had more important things to do. I just hoped I was heading in the right direction.

Camry stayed behind at the cottage our sad little group was currently calling home and daydreamed about his future. It wasn't what he'd ever wanted, but it was different. Different could be good. Different could be better. Challenging, exciting… and scary too, but that was in the way you looked at it.

With a smile on his face, he began to prepare a meal for two. It wasn't going to be a wedding feast, but it would be better than nothing. Satisfaction stole over him and he gazed out the window into the endless expanse of the night. Somewhere out there his future bride was taking care of business.

In that moment, the sound of a pig-boy's scream ripped through the air.

…yeah, that pretty much confirmed it…