“Thank god these guys were too tired to really party hard.” Luke whispered to Jonathan as he took in the state of the hotel room, a lukewarm water bottle pressed to his chest.
The get together at Evan’s place had thrived for the first two hours into the night, drinks flying and boisterous laughter filled the air. It felt like it was going to go well on into the night. Then Scotty and Craig passed out on the couches after drinking themselves silly. Their drunken snores cast a sleepy spell over the others and soon everyone felt the call of sleep curling around them.
Those who were able to stand groggily left to their own rooms while the rest made do in the living room. As a result, Scotty, Craig, Tyler, Nogla, and Marcel took over the couches while Anthony, Lui, and Ohm slept on the floor.
“If this wasn’t their hardest in partying, then I don’t want to know what is,” Jonathan murmured with a smile, sweeping his gaze over his loudly snoring friends, his eyes softening as they swept towards the main bedroom.
He talked to Evan.
He really did it.
Sure, it may have been through typing but it was something Jonathan hadn’t thought he would ever do. He swore to himself that he would not try to connect with the others and try to make it through the rest of week without making ‘friends,’ (the thought still left a sour taste in his mouth, his chest clenching painfully).
But Evan suddenly began talking to him so sincerely, his pretty face pinched in determination as he forced his way through his stumbling words. He tried so hard to connect with ‘Conner,’ rambling over his hobbies and interest, that Jonathan knew already by heart, just so he had something to talk about. It made Jonathan’s heart squeeze with fondness. How could he not answer him back?
So, he blindly stopped Evan from rambling even further and without really thinking, typed away on his phone. He talked with Evan for over an hour, his fingers fumbling with how much they fluttered over the phone’s keyboard, the text littered with typos with each new topic they discussed. The tinted glasses continued to gather more positive points from him, doing well to hide how flustered Jonathan was by his boldness.
The conversation was slow due to the rather strange way of communicating but both of them didn’t care in the slightest, if not for the way Evan’s face brightened with each new text Jonathan shoved into his face. It was more than Jonathan could ever have hoped for. He felt like his face couldn’t stop smiling, even after the conversation dwindled down to quite hums and the quiet clicks of his phone.
The day finally began to take its toll on Evan. His shoulders drooped and his words slurred with each passing second, eyes becoming unfocused. Jonathan noticed Evan’s state mid-type, features shifting to worry when the man began to sway in his feet. He was able to catch a glimpse of the main bedroom when he entered so he discreetly took small steps towards the room, hoping that Evan would follow.
Amusingly (and cutely, Jonathan might add), Evan did so with sluggish movements, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion each time he had to take a new step, but his tired mind took no heed to the change and instead focussed it’s remaining power to keep the conversation alive.
It took some time to manoeuvre over their fallen friends and guide Evan to the bedroom but they did so without too much of a problem. Luke had followed behind them with a grin, helping with moving people’s sprawled out bodies out of the way and held the door open so the two can get through. Jonathan had to physically clasp his hands over his mouth to stop the onslaught of giggles threatening to spill from his lips at the pathetic squeak Evan let out the moment he had pushed the groggy man onto the bed. His body bounced gently from the force, Evan’s eyes blinking rapidly from the sudden change of his vision. But the softness of the sheets and the pillow beneath his head did the trick and soon he fell asleep, his chest rising with each intake of breath.
Both Luke and Jonathan had quietly tiptoed out the room, closing the door silently behind them. They both held in their laughter at Evan’s incoherent mumbling seeping from the behind the door. The poor man must have been exhausted.
Now, all they had to do was leave.
“This was easier than I thought,” Luke mused, stepping over Nogla’s sprawled body on the floor, “Now, we can get into our hotel room without any trouble.”
“What about Ohm?” Jonathan asked, leaning over to peer at Ohm’s sleeping form. He was curled up against Brian, his body turned away from them as he quietly snored into his pillow.
Luke paused in his steps and looked down at him as well, “It’s better if he stays here. That way, we can hear him in the morning when he needs to get into the room to change clothes.” His tone was almost sad as he said this, a sigh falling from his lips. “He’s not going to like that I left him here, but there’s not much I can do. This is the easiest way for you not to get caught.”
Jonathan’s face fell, guilt swirling in his stomach.
“Sorry,” he simply said. There wasn’t anything else he could say without it sounding hollow in his ears.
“Don’t be,” Luke answered back, lowering his body so he crouched over Ohm’s sleeping form. He threaded his fingers over the other’s hair, chuckling softly at the way the hair stuck up in all directions after his fingers left. Ohm murmured appreciatively, nuzzling his cheeks further into his pillow before falling silent, a small smile on his face. “I’m the one who’s being stupid. I’ll try to spend more time with Ohm tomorrow to make it up to him.”
“But…”
“It’ll be fine, Delirious. Let’s just get back to our hotel room.”
Jonathan mutely nodded, sending one final glance towards Evan’s bedroom before following Luke out the front door. The hallway was silent saved for Luke’s loud footsteps. It made Jonathan feel uncomfortable, the foreign environment sending warning signals all over his body. He stuck to Luke’s back as they walked through the hallway, shoulders sagging in relief at the familiar sight of their room number appearing beside them. Luke easily swiped the keycard through the slot and opened the door, quickly ushering Jonathan inside.
“Can never be too careful, right? I heard that Smitty sometimes sleepwalks,” Luke said as he closed the door behind them.
“Right,” Jonathan muttered in agreement, rolling his wrists. He kind of wanted to see the younger Canadian stumbling in the hallway, no doubt Jon would be following behind him with an amused smile. “By the way, you do realise that you’re very lucky to still be alive right?”
“What? Why? What the fuck did I do?” Luke remarked.
“You know what,” Jonathan glared.
“Like your threats have any effect on me.”
“They should,” Jonathan grinned harshly, causing Luke to audibly gulp.
“A-Anyways, what the fuck is wrong with you? Did you hurt your wrist or something?” He asked, raising his eyebrow after Jonathan rolled his wrist again.
“Oh, no I didn’t hurt it. It’s just sore from all the typing I been doin’.”
“Typing?”
“Yeah, when you left to go eat I’ve been using my phone to talk to Evan.”
Luke blink dumbly at him, mouth gaping. Jonathan immediately covered his ears.
“YOU WHAT?”
Jonathan groaned deeply, hands still clasped over his ears as he flopped onto the couch. “Delirious, are you serious right now? What happened to keeping your head down until the convention is over?” Luke continued, eyes comically wide, “And you’re telling me that you decided to ignore all that and communicate with him anyways?”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” Jonathan mumbled, “ I just couldn’t help it.”
“Couldn’t help it, he says,” Luke said in disbelief, rubbing his hand over his face and full body sighed.
Jonathan released his ears after he was sure Luke wasn’t going to blow his head off and played with the strings of his hoodie, pouting his lips.
“Is that all you did?”
“...I might have spoke to Kyroz, too.”
“What do you mean by ‘spoke’? Like, what you did with Evan, with your phone?”
Jonathan sunk further into the couch, fingers fidgeting over the strings. “...”
“God fucking dammit Delirious, what did I tell you-” Luke began on a rant, index finger pointed up as if he was a mother scolding her child.
Jonathan tuned him out, abandoning the strings on his hoodie in favour of taking out his phone. A reminder popped up on his screen the moment he unlocked it, the battery signal flashing rapidly above it. ‘Less than ten percent left,’ he realised, surprised by how much he used it up. He needed to make sure he puts it to charge overnight before he went to bed. He thumbed over his notifications, immediately wincing at the discord messages piling up one by one.
He had panicked throughout the journey back to the hotel, worrying over whether or not to respond back to Evan. But, the effort to sneak back into the lobby and convincing the staff to let them help bring the food up to the room took all of his attention. So, instead he continued to keep his phone on silent, hoping that Evan would forgive ‘Delirious’ for not answering back.
He bit his lips as he scrolled through the missed messages, his fingers returning to fiddle with the strings. It didn’t appear that the other was too mad at him, even if Evan called him an idiot (the man has said far more hideous and foul words to him before in jest). And as Conner, Evan looked like he had a good time talking to him despite nearly falling over from exhaustion. But, it still didn’t feel right for Jonathan to leave the conversation like that.
“I’ll call him in the morning,” he decided, closing the app and his phone.
“Hey, were you listening to me?” Luke growled, arms crossed.
“Nope.” Jonathan replied cheerfully, lips popping around the word.
“Why did I get stuck with this idiot as a friend? Why?” Luke wondered out loud, looking up at the ceiling with a pinched expression, as if he was asking the Gods themselves for his apparent misfortune.
Jonathan shrugged, snorting loudly at the other’s tired expression, “It’s too late to ask why, you’re stuck with me forever. FOREVER. You never getting’ rid of me now, hoe.”
“Dammit.” Luke groaned, sinking on to the spot next to Jonathan, “Can you at least go eat something quickly before we go to bed? Don’t give me that look,” he replied sharply at the way Jonathan’s face scrunched up, “Your dumbass hasn’t ate or drank anything since this morning. That ain’t healthy and I will not have you getting sick on me because you were too stupid to take care of yourself.”
“Do you always have to insult me when you’re worrying about me?”
“Ain’t nobody worrying about your crazy-ass. Just get to the kitchen and make yourself something to eat. I better hear the fridge open, none of that fruit shit.”
Jonathan cackled to himself as he did what he was told. To be honest, the events of the day were finally catching up to him and he was hit with sudden exhaustion as he stepped into the kitchen. His body felt heavy, his eyelids becoming harder to keep open. After everything that has happened, he was surprised that he’s still standing. “How the fuck did I do it,” he mumbled to himself, taking small bites of the sloppily made sandwich he managed to put together.
Honestly, how? Less than twenty-four hours ago he sat alone in front of his desk, absentmindedly wondering about what game next to record. Now, well, he was not sure what he was doing anymore. He wanted to bash his head against the wall, hoping the pain will help him make sense of it all.
He chewed slowly, fighting away the sleep beckoning at his eyes. His stomach growled stubbornly, chasing away the remaining fatigue. He took a larger bite, reminded by the lack of food he consumed that day. The dryness of his mouth after he swallowed made him grimace.“Water,” He croaked, leaning over the counter to fetch a cup. His fingers curled around an orange cup, the colour too bright and cheerful for his liking, but he couldn’t bother to be picky at that moment. The cool water sliding down his throat brought new life to his limbs and he slammed the now empty cup with a sigh. How can he take care of someone else when he couldn’t take care of himself?
“Is this worth it?” He whispered to himself as he got to work washing the dishes, too low for Luke’s ever-observant gaze to catch.
He made his choice already, he locked himself in this closet of lies and threw away the key. He snorted loudly, uncaring that the sound made Luke’s gaze narrow. He rested his head against the cool counter, vision filled with that annoying, bright colour.
There really was no turning back, was there?
OoOoOoOoOoOo
“It’s nice to be so close to the convention,” Jonathan remarks with a smile, dusting off his hoodie and readjusting the tinted glasses on his nose. He made a mental note to wash his hoodie when he returned, it was the only one he had and he didn’t want to risk wearing anything else.
“Makes getting to and fro a hella lot easier,” Luke agreed, eyes not leaving his phone as he scrolled through his messages, a frown etched on to this face.
Jonathan’s face fell, his hands making their way into his pockets nervously, “So, Ohm really did leave without you?”
“Yeah, he said that he went with Evan and the rest of the guys. Because I left him there without telling him I was going back to the hotel room” A sigh, “It’s for the best anyways, I was going to ask Ohm to do just that if he decided to come back to our hotel room. Looks like I didn’t need to.”
“Cartoonz…” Jonathan began, an uncertain look appearing on his face, “ Maybe, uhh, I dunno, we can let Ohm in on this? I mean, I think I’ll be okay now to tell him. He could probably help a lot!”
He didn’t like what was happening. It was small, and he knew Ohm would forgive Luke the moment they see each other, but the sudden uneasy feeling in his chest told him a different story. Having Ohm in on their secret was downright terrifying to him, but he felt like he could force himself to accept the other’s help. If only to get Luke to stop looking like that.
Luke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he guided Jonathan across the parking lot, “No, you were right the first time. I think it’s best if Ohm stays out of this. He’s not good at keeping things to himself and he would probably feel guilty about not telling the others. Plus, Ohm is a terrible liar.”
The last part was said with a chuckle, a fond smile appearing on his lips, “You should watch him play Uno, he can’t bluff to save his life.”
The convention came into view and Luke put his phone away, expression turning serious. Jonathan squared his shoulders, nerves returning to limbs. Unlike before, he had no need to shield behind cars or other objects. With his disguise, no one paid him any attention as he walked beside Luke, the sound of Luke’s name crying into the air by excited fans behind him.
Like yesterday, multiple staff and security guards walked the perimeter of the building, once in a while stopping people to check for their passes. He had to stop himself from flinching every time they passed by someone, having to remind himself that he had no reason to be afraid anymore. The staff thought that he was one of their own so they had no reason to look at him with any suspicion, they merely bowed their heads slightly in greeting before they went on their way.
The security guard posted at the entrance, the same one from before, greeted them with a wide smile, chuckling at the way Jonathan plastered himself against Luke. “Are you nervous?” They asked kindly, extending their hand to inspect the passes carefully. They already knew who the two of them were but it was still protocol to inspect all badges and passes.
“Yes and no, I’m not sure myself,” Jonathan replied honestly, forcing himself to not react when the security guard took hold of his pass.
“I’m sure you will have a good time, like yesterday, right?” The way they said that made Jonathan realise that the guard was trying to encourage him. He really wanted to tell the kind person that he actually had a very stressful experience rather than a fun one, but he kept it to himself and instead nodded in agreement.
The guard finished their inspection and stepped to the side, sweeping their hand upwards, “Please enjoy your day, Mr. Cartoonz, Conner.”
Luke thanked him while Jonathan bowed his head, once again plastering himself against the other as he lead them through the convention floor. “Let’s go back to that room we were in yesterday,” Luke told him, dodging some of the staff frantically putting things in place, “We need to go over some things before I let you loose.”
“Well, not really loose, I have to go meet with Layla before I join you back with Vanoss.”
“You know what I mean.”
They managed to find the correct corridor after a few sharp turns, their pace much slower after recognising the familiar door coming into view. Like before, the door remained unlocked and unused, far away from any curious gaze. Strangely enough, it felt bittersweet to return to the room.
It was only a day ago that Jonathan was thrust into his situation. Only a day ago that he had to accept his role as someone else. Only a day ago that he met his friends faced to face.
Talking to them, listening to their horrible jokes, seeing them. It made his breath catch in his throat. He was in the same room that Jonathan decided to change everything. It was getting hard to breathe.
“Alright,” Luke’s voice echoed, the sound bringing Jonathan back from his headspace. He heard the door close behind them, the audible click of the lock settling into place. Locked once again in the wide, open room.
“Today should be an easier day, for the both of us,” Luke began, “All the signing was taken care of yesterday so we should be able to walk the floor. It’s still going to be hard though, people will recognise us so we might have a crowd. But, they should, for the most part, leave us alone.”
“‘Should’ is the key word here,” Jonathan muttered, sighing, “It really doesn’t look it will be easier for me at all. I’m gonna have to keep watch on Evan as his bodyguard, if it’s anything like yesterday, it can get crazy.”
Luke grimaced at the reminder, “Right, shit, forgot about that. I can’t stay with you either if I’m going to make it up to Ohm. You might need backup if something does happen…”
“That’s not reassuring, Cartoonz.”
“Fuck, sorry. I mean, nothing is going to happen, don’t worry. But, it would still be nice to have someone with you, just in case.” Luke sighed deeply, his fingers once again pinching the bridge of his nose, “...Maybe I can distract Ohm with Gorilla or someone else and come back?”
Jonathan immediately shook his head, “No, don’t do that to Ohm. It’s his first time being here too and he really wanted to spend it with you. He deserves to have a good time like anyone else. Nevermind, he deserves it more than anyone.”
Luke’s shoulders slumped, “I know, I know that, but, ughh,” he breathed deeply, a frustrated noise exhaled through his nose, “No… you’re right. Ohm deserves better than that. But, I can’t leave you alone either. Not when you might need me.”
Jonathan felt his heart swell, both from gratefulness and sorrow at hearing his words. He felt happy that Luke would do so much for him, even when they both were stressing out, but he couldn’t let him ruin his relationship with Ohm. Not when the other makes his brother so, so happy.
“...I’ll be fine, Cartoonz,” Jonathan eventually replied, lifting his finger when Luke started to protest, “If anything does happen, which I really hope nothing does, I’ll… I’ll have Squirrel, and maybe Kryoz, to rely on.” His own words made him cringe, but he was proud of how firm his voice sounded.
Luke made a choking sound, his head bowing slightly from shock, “W-Wait, what? Squirrel? Jon? You’re going to tell-?!”
“Kryoz… maybe,” Jonathan interrupted, wincing from how loud Luke’s voice echoed in the room, “He already heard my voice before and I really think he’s trustworthy with, y’know, all of this. But, he’s more of a last resort! I don’t want to involve any of them if I can help it. And Squirrel…” Jonathan felt himself smile from thinking about his friend. He really wanted to see him, too. “I’m going to definitely tell him. I’ll call him before I go meet with Layla.”
“Oh.”
Jonathan looked up to see Luke gazing at him in awe, the frown replaced with a rather fond smile. “Really?”
“W-W-What?” Jonathan said defensively, face flushing when the smile only widened.
“Sorry, it’s just… I’m really proud of you.”
It was his turn to reply with a quiet, “Oh,” the flush deepening. “Fuck you, it’s nothing to be proud about.”
“Right,” Luke agreed easily, leaning forward to pull down Jonathan’s hoodie and ruffle his hair, “It’s just you trusting more people. Nothing to be proud about at all.”
Jonathan snarled at him and made a move to punch him, muttering in disappointment when the other stepped away from the attack with a laugh.
“When you tell him, text me. That way I can give him the shovel talk.”
“What are you, my protective dad?” Jonathan mocked, annoyed when Luke replied back with a smirk. That shouldn’t have made the bastard so happy.
At that moment, his phone vibrated harshly in his pocket, causing the two to jump. Jonathan floundered for his phone, breathing a sigh of relief when he managed to get a hold of the device. His relief was short lived, however, after he took a closer look at his screen.
A picture of Evan, (slouched over his gaming chair, fingers plucking softly around his favourite guitar, eyes gently closed shut, as if the only thing he could hear was the sound of his own music; a moment Jonathan caught in secret from an accidental facecam malfunction from their many skype calls before they switched to discord) flashed on his screen, the name ‘Bat Owl’ bolded below it.
Evan was calling him?
...Wait. Evan was calling him!
His finger smashed on the call button before his thoughts caught up to him.
“...Delirious?”
Oh god, he answered. Why is he like this? He nervously held the phone up to his ear, pointedly ignoring the piercing stare Luke was giving him.
“H-Hey, Vanoss! What, what’s up?”
“...”
“...Vanoss?”
“Oh, my bad. I was just checking to make sure it was actually you. Seeing as you didn’t RESPOND TO MY MESSAGES. I just couldn’t believe my ears.”
Jonathan cringed at the cold tone.
“I told myself I wouldn’t be annoyed if you decided to answer back, or at least call me. But, noooo, in the end you did neither and I ended up having to call YOU.”
He never liked being scolded by Evan, even when it was just for goofs. God, why does he keep messing up?
“I’m sorry,” Jonathan said quietly, flinching at how weak and pathetic his voice sounded. Luke’s gaze turned into worry and Jonathan had to turn his head, cheeks flushing in mortification.
He heard a sharp inhale from the other end.
“Wait, no, Delirious, I didn’t mean to make you-” A frustrated sigh seeped into his ear, “Look, it’s okay. Alright? Just… answer me back next time? I don’t care if it’s just a simple ‘kay.’ Just something, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Thanks.”
The silence that followed them was neither awkward nor comfortable, it gave them a chance to take needed breaths to calm, to let the air around them to return to normal. Jonathan took careful steps towards the empty chairs in the corner of the room, feeling the need to make some space between Luke and himself. As much as he was grateful for the other’s presence, it didn’t feel right to have them there listening to his conversation.
Not with Evan.
Thankfully, Luke understood (he always does, Jonathan thought with a smile) and walked to the opposite side of the room. He sent Jonathan an awkward, but nonetheless encouraging smile before he placed earphones in his ears. Jonathan wondered briefly if he really needed that encouragement.
“...So, you had pizza without me?” He began softly, a small grin appearing on his face at Evan’s bark of laughter.
“At least you read the messages, you little shit. Yeah, I had pizza. Jealous?”
“Oh, definitely. You should give me your credit card information so I can buy one for myself.”
“Sure, its 49852-getyourowndamnpizza, the numbers on the back are 789.”
Jonathan threw his head and laughed, giggles spilling out of his lips without restraint, “Fuck you! I want pizza!”
God, how long has it been since he laughed like this?
Without having to hold it in, to just let go?
He could hear Evan’s own laughter mingling with his own and it only caused him to laugh harder. They laughed and laughed, the joke no longer funny for the both of them, but he couldn’t stop, and to his relief, neither could Evan.
“What? I was being helpful!”
“No, you weren’t. Now, I’m pizza-less!”
“Not my fault.”
The giggles subsided, leaving his cheeks sore and pink. But it was a comforting feeling.
He heard Evan exhale softly, his stomach suddenly turning into knots. “It’s really good to hear your voice.”
“You heard my voice like three days ago.” Jonathan replied, his own voice breathless and soft.
“I know that. But, for some strange reason, I’m still really happy to hear it.”
The way he said that sounded so casual, so nonchalant, but there was a tremor in his voice. Something so raw that Jonathan couldn’t figure out what it meant. Nonetheless, his heart pounded in his chest and his breath stuttered.
“Are you still happy, y’know, after hearing it?” He found himself asking, his free hand playing with a strand of his hair. His bangs were getting a little too long.
“Haha, yeah, I am. Hearing your stupid voice this early in the morning gave me motivation. I kind of needed it.” The honestly left Jonathan floored, his mouth opening to say something but no words came out. He heard Evan stutter from the other end. “Fuck, sorry, I’m being weird aren’t I? Ignore me, I’m probably still tipsy from last night.”
“You didn’t even drink alcohol last night, you liar.”
Shit.
“T-That’s what Cartoonz told me, anyways.”
Evan cursed, “I forgot about your little spy.”
“He’s not my spy.”
He heard Evan snort, “Right. Your guardian, then.”
Jonathan bit his lips, a question forming in his head.
“How are you doing, by the way?”
It was an innocent question, used countlessly for small talk and conversation starters. But it held so much implications, so much untold emotions between them. It was sobering to think about.
Evan hummed quietly before he answered, the sound soothing to his frazzled nerves.
“Honestly? Better than I thought I would be. The staff weren’t kidding when they said that there will be a lot more people showing up. It was kind of overwhelming at first, having so many people chanting my name and in my personal space. I know they don’t mean to, but our fans sometimes get a little bit too much for me to handle. Ugh, it’s going to be a lot more hectic today, too. But,” he paused, “when it was getting too much for me, Conner, the bodyguard I mentioned before, helped me out. He snapped me out of my headspace during the signing and even brought me some snacks. I’m really grateful to him for doing that, I don’t want our fans to see me like that.”
Jonathan lifted his legs to his chest and rested his head on his knee, the phone held snugly against his ear. It was strange to hear someone talk to him about, well, himself. He was sure he would never get used to that feeling.
“He’s not a bad guy. He doesn’t talk but I was able to communicate with him yesterday. I think you would like him, he kind of reminds me of you. He likes the same things you do, like horror movies and shit. He even has the whole mysterious guy vibe around him, haha.”
Jonathan was sure he was going to have an aneurysm if Evan kept talking about him.
“I’m better though, right?” He tried to joke, wishing for the floor to swallow him whole the moment the words left his mouth. Maybe he was a masochist? It would explain why he didn’t stop Evan when he had the chance. Conner and Delirious were the same person, they were him. How could he ask such a stupid question?
He suppressed the urge to smack his cheek in frustration. What was he expecting to hear? What did he want to hear?
Evan fell quiet, making Jonathan squirm in his chair.
‘I really am an idiot.’
He could see Luke sending concern looks from the corner of his eye but he tried to stay firm. If only his heart beating heavily in his ears would shut up.
It felt like an eternity before Evan replied, his voice muffled from the phone’s tiny speaker. But it still made his breath hitch.
“...I don’t know. I still don’t know him very well. But, it’s kind of hard to beat you,” Evan chuckled, as if he was reassuring him, “You’re Delirious, my best friend. I trust you with everything.”
“Oh,” Jonathan replied with a laugh, sharp and loud.
He ignored the way his voice quivered at the end.
He ignored the phone trembling in his hand, the tremors in his fingers.
He ignored the tears gathering around his eyes, moments away from falling down his cheek.
“That’s the correct answer, you asshole. I’m the greatest friend you’ll ever have in your life!”
Jonathan wishes for the convention to end soon, wishes to hurry home and return to his quiet lonely life. Because, he didn’t deserve anything good to ever happen to him.
That was the first things I was greeted to when I woke up. I opened my eyes, expecting to see my lines of bookshelves and Alex's yelling at some sort of video game. But I wasn't.
I was in a room that I didn't recognize. The walls and floors were stone. It was cold, ever for the early spring. I then realized something.
I wasn't at the school.
This was not how I intended to spend my Friday off.
I wondered what Adriana, Crystal, Porter and Alex were doing right now. I hoped that they weren't going to try and find me. It was the last thing that I wanted. If they got captured too it wouldn't be helpful, to anyone. If I was just stuck here then I could find a way to get out myself, but if I had to worry about Adriana, Crystal, Porter and Alex, I'd probably go insane.
I was knocked out of my thoughts when the metal door to the room I was in opened.
“Where am I?” I demanded.
“Now, how do we know you’re not a telepathic? We wouldn't want you contacting a rescue team, now would we?” The woman asked.
“If you had done your research properly then you would know that telepathy is not my major or even my minor. Which goes to prove that your sources suck,” I informed her.
“Considering that you're at my mercy little girl, so perhaps you should be mindful of your words.”
“If I’m at your mercy, then what do you want? No one kidnaps a person just to have them under their complete control.”
“Good assessment, I assume that you've heard about the children that have been getting kidnapped and have their Abilities taken away therefore their genetic code dismantled and slowly and quite painfully I might add, disintegrate while the person is still alive, causing them to die?”
“No, cause they're stupid enough at Cartemen to not tell us these things” I said sarcastically. Great! Adriana has rubbed off on me.
“Well you see” The woman continued without listening to my comment. “Sket, the man who is responsible for these occurrences, has been struggling with these new powers, because they were not made or genetically encoded for him, therefore they are not compatible. But He needs an ability that will enable him to have these abilities run on the same frequency all together so that they will encode with his genetics.”
“So, you need someone that has a power in those terms,” I said slowly.
“Your powers could do that. Cath no matter what don't let them do anything. You can’t tell them anything” Bloom warned me.
“That's exactly what we need. Now. You are the smartest at Cartemen. Do you know of anyone with these abilities?”
“No,” I said bluntly.
“Are you sure? Maybe you should think just a little harder.”
I put on a fake thinking face and pretended to stroke an imaginary beard.
“Nope” I said.
The woman huffed and left. I sighed to myself. I was in deep trouble now.
Adriana’s point of view.
“Are you sure that they were sighted here?” I asked Porter, who nodded exasperated.
“Positive. One Carmen Donna, age fifty-three, saw two men and one woman carrying a young girl with pale blonde and purple hair around the age of thirteen. Doesn't that match Alphs' appearance perfectly?” Porter raised his eye brow at me.
“Point taken.”
We approached a small village and I was taken aback by how, for lack and want of a better term, under developed it was. It was like going to one of those strange medieval times conventions.
“Does anyone else feel like we're a bit out of place here?” I asked
Crystal and Porter nodded absentmindedly at me. They seemed to be in a trance at the sight of the village that we were in. I had to admit, it had a certain beauty to it. The small houses weren't the generic block and brick houses, no, they seemed to be made a wood, like old fashioned cottages. The beauty of it all over-whelmed me. Surely, we hadn't traveled back in time? Though perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing if we did, it was, indeed, very nice here.
“Do you think it's possible that we've gone back in time?” I asked slowly.
“On normal conditions I would say no, but seeing this now, I believe that assessment would be inadequate.” Crystal said.
“Since when do you use words like “Assessment and inadequate”?” I asked.
“Since now,” Crystal shrugged.
“Right. So. Let's find Carmen Donna.” Porter said.
“I say we split up, we'll cover more ground that way,” Crystal instructed.
Porter and I nodded and we split up.
I walked down the cobbled-stone road. This day just kept getting weirder and weirder. The people were giving me strange looks, I realized that I was wearing jean and a star-wars tee. So much for a good impression!
A tall, well-built building stood at one side of the town, I assumed that this was a hospital, and there was no way that they would take Catherine in there. I looked to the front of the village and saw a large castle. It looked like it could easily be half the size of the village itself.
I saw an elderly lady, around the age of seventy or eighty, sitting by a stone bench with knitting needles it her hands and a long scarf made of yarn in front of her. I began to walk over to her, slowly to make sure that I didn’t scare her.
“Excuse me? I asked politely.
“Goodness child! You startled me! How can I help you?” I woman replied gently, setting aside her needles to the bench.
“I'm looking for Carmen Donna.” I told her softly.
“Whatever did Carmen do this time?” The woman asked.
“Oh, she hasn't done anything. She's my great-auntie. On my father’s side, He told me that I should come and visit today” I explained, although I was lying through my teeth.
“Oh! I had no idea that Carmen had any family relations left! Oh, she will be pleased!” The woman exclaimed. I smiled.
“She lives another block over and two doors down. The only green house in the area” She informed me.
“Thank you for your kindness,” I thanked.
I walked to the directions that the elderly woman had given me, getting slightly distracted by the scenery around me and I saw the house that the old lady mentioned. It seemed that this Carmen Donna was very different from any one else in this village. The house was big, bigger than the average house, but not as big as the hospital, its green paint was vibrant but peeling off, the doors were old and creaky looking but they were pretty none the less. The windows weren’t grimy or dusty which meant someone had been cleaning them often. All in all, the house looked well kept.
There, as I approached the house, sitting on the porch, was Carmen Donna. Her black hair was slightly graying, the gray eyes were duller, with less light of youth in them, but there was a mischief about them.
As soon as she saw me her eyes widened and she gestured for me to come in.
Was I expected?
I hesitantly walked up to the house and followed Carmen in. What I saw when I walked in, was something I most definitely didn't expect.
The entire house, was from the modern day. From house phones, to a micro-wave and electric fans to a radio.
“Alright! If I wasn't extremely confused before about time traveling then I most certainly am now!” I said as I walked to the sitting room where Carmen was.
“It's about time you got here Adriana. I've been waiting for weeks!” She told me as I sat down.
“How do you know my name?” I asked.
“Like I said, I've been waiting for you.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Carmen sighed, muttering about how it was going to be a long day. “I am what you would call a Psychic. I see into the future. I was sent back in time when I was eighteen years old, I have been living out my life here, but these things from the future keep appearing once every few months or so a new piece of technology appears. As I grew old, people just began to think I was going crazy. So, I just kept to myself. Until three weeks ago when I began to have visions about you coming in search of your friend.”
“Yeah. People said that you had seen two men and a woman carrying her?” I asked.
“No I didn't. No technically. I saw it in a vision.” Carmen informed me.
“So, do you know anything?” I asked desperately.
“She was taken the town Miuros. And trust me when I say this. That is not a nice place to be.”
Taking in the information I took a moment to speak again. “How do I get back to my time?” I asked.
“You can't. I have been trying for forty-two years and I haven't found the answer yet. I fear that you will be stuck like myself, until the end of your time” Carmen said sadly.
I didn't believe it, I couldn't. I had to get back to my own time. Although I didn’t understand how I got here in the first place, so how was I going to get back to my own time?
“This makes no sense! How is it possible for you to see us in an entirely different time-line?!” I asked incredulously.
“Maybe because it's not happening on your time-line.” Carmen pointed out.
“W-what?” I said.
“You saw that castle up there? That is Cartemen, before it became the school. This is where Sket and his men were taking those children. Maybe that's why your sister and everyone else could never find the ones who were doing it, because they weren't even in the right time-line. This entire Island is out of sync with the rest of the world. Something happened in the 1500’s to knock the Island out of sync with the rest of the universe. The universe is moving through Time and Space, but something happened that knocked this one island out of sync with the rest of time and space. Just this island. No one knows what happened. There, it’s just a normal day. But it was thousands of years before now, and people still haven’t figured out what happened”
“So, they would need to have someone who can stop and control time. So, I don't need to get back, I need to stay here. Find Alphs here on this time-line. But, wait-” I turned to Carmen “How would I get back after? How are four thirteen-year-old kids supposed to save humanity? Would anyone remember if we did?” I asked.
“I do not know. That has not been revealed to me yet. But know this. You're not alone. You're never alone.” I was confused by the elder woman's words, but nodded to them anyway.
“Thank you” I said sincerely She nodded and smiled softly at me.
“You know. I was friends with your grandmother when she was young. You remind me very much of her. Well, all accept the hair and the attitude” Carmen smiled, I hadn't known my grandmother very long before she died. But we did get along very well.
“Wait!” I heard Carmen yell before I left. I turned to her. “Beware of the Lost City. No one knows who lives there.”
“They built a school on a Lost Island. The Lost Island. Where they built a school for people with different specialties.” I pointed out.
Carmen let me out of the small, yet big house and waved me off.
Now all I had to do was hope to find Crystal and Porter before they do or say anything stupid. Which with my luck they already would have. I went around to the old town square where Crystal and Porter were sitting. Well Porter was sitting with his head in his hands, while Crystal was preforming some sort of gymnastics presentation. Could have been worse.
“Bets! Porter!” I exclaimed.
Crystal looked at me, mid-handstand and twisted out of it. Porter had reached me in half this time and was looking at me anxiously.
“Bets said that we could distract the town’s people while you figure out stuff” Porter told me.
“Glad you did” I said.
“Did you find Carmen Donna?” Crystal asked.
“Yeah,” I said, trying to figure out how to tell her.
“And?” they said together.
“I figured out the reason that Olive has never been able to catch them”
“Why?” they urged.
“Because they were going back in time before they could be caught. Carmen was brought here forty- two years ago. She still hasn't found her way out yet. But we don't need to go back to our time! Because they brought Alphs here. They took her to the town of Miuros. But apparently, it's not a very nice place. But what other choice do we have,” I stated.
“Do you think that they'll have her sedated or something?” Porter asked.
“I highly doubt that, they'll probably have her awake because they've want her to answer some questions.”
“So where is Miuros?” Crystal asked.
“South. A little bit due east of here, but mostly south” I informed them shortly.
“It that all?” Porter asked as we walked out of the town, heading south.
“Whose turn is it to cook?” Crystal asked.
“Yours,” Porter and I said.
“Damn, I walked right into that one,” Crystal stated.
“You should have known better Bets.”
“Shut up Delly. Be lucky I don't have any food poison” Crystal threatened.
Though I knew it was an empty threat, I could not help to admit that I was the tiniest bit scared. But I wasn't going to tell Crystal that.
Crunch!
Snore!
Crunch!
Snore!
Crunch!
Snap!
“OK Mother Nature thou definitely suck-ith” I grumbled groggily under my breath as I laid on a sleeping mat. Crystal was snoring, and Porter was tossing and turning. I was awake listening to all of it.
I jolted when there was a sudden rustle in the bushes. Silently I sat up from my sleeping roll and I grabbed my pocket knife from underneath of my pillow and, being careful that I didn’t make any noises, I went to check it out.
“Why always with the violence Ads,” Tori asked me.
“You can't very well blame me for being cautious Tori, anything could be out there,” I stated.
“You do have a point, but they ain't gonna be hurtin' ya Ads,” Zell pointed out.
“How do you know?” I asked as I looked around again.
But before Zell or Tori or Arrow and Cal could answer. The rustling in the bushes became louder and louder until the bushes parted and it approached me. There, causing all the noise and making me cautious and nervous, was a three-year old little boy with giant hazel colored eyes and scruffy dark brown hair. His face was covered in dirt and he had small cuts and scratches on his arms and legs, his tunic and trousers were torn and burnt. I had to admit, it broke my heart a little more to see this sight.
The little boy stared at me, then at my knife and then at me again.
Though the second time, his look was fearful. I raised a curious eye brow and then realized the problem.
“Oh. No sweetheart! I'm not going to hurt you!” I stated reaching a hand out, only for the small boy to recoil.
I raised the hand that had the knife, the boy stiffened in fear, I then dropped it and kicked it back towards our camp, and I heard a soft thump, followed by a groan, signifying that it had hit Porter.
It took a few moments, but then the little boy quickly ran into my arms, shaking and weeping in fear. I wrapped my arms around him and re-assured him that he was fine.
“Mommy?” He asked looking up at me.
“Me?” I gestured to myself. He nodded and stuffed his face back into my shoulder, quivering with fear. I, still shocked, carried him back to the camp.
The fire had long since gone out, leaving only embers behind. I quickly re-ignited it when I realized that the poor shaking boy, was shaking half out of fear, then half because he was cold. As I did this, the small boy refused to even let me put him down.
Once the fire was raging once more, lighting up the cool night air, I turned to the boy in my arms.
“Mommy,” he said, though I think it was more of a statement than anything else.
“What's your name?” I asked.
He looked confused at me.
“I'm Addy, you are-?” I started.
“No! You mommy!” he stated indignantly.
“Alright, I'm Mommy.”
He smiled. “Dill” he stated.
“Dill? That's you name?” I asked and Dill nodded.
“What happened sweetheart?” I asked.
“The bad guys came, dey took pweople, and dey had big things that hurt pweople” Dill said.
“And they killed everyone?” I finished and Dill nodded.
I looked sadly out to the forest where Dill must have been wandering for days. How hungry was he? In reply, the young boy’s stomach rumbled. I smiled slightly and attempted to put him on the log next to me. But, of course, my efforts were fruitless. He was like a mini-koala. Just . . . Less vicious.
I sighed. “Dill. I need to get you some food. You need to sit down” I said gently.
“Uh-uh.” He denied “You leave mwe too” Dill said, tears filling his large puppy-dog hazel color eyes.
“I'm not going too far, just over there” I said gesturing to the spot where we had stored our food and other supplies.
Dill hesitated then let me go. For a small, starving, three-year old boy, he had a good grip.
I walked to the small storage box that we had set up and grabbed out some bread, chicken and carrots. It wasn't much, but we still had to go and re-stock up tomorrow.
I walked back over to Dill, where he was sitting next to the fire, like he was watching a ghost that was going to forever haunt him. Though seeing the destruction of his town and his real family probably did the same for him.
“Dill?” I said quietly, careful not to wake Crystal or Porter.
Dill turned to me and rushed back into my arms as soon as I sat down.
I gave him small bits of chicken, which he ate whole-heartedly I reached and grabbed my canteen, which was sitting next to my bedroll and handed it to Dill.
“Mommy?”
I sighed, that's going to take a long while to get used to.
“Yep?” I replied.
“Where we going?” Dill asked.
“We're going to Miuros. Alphs, Or I guess she's your auntie now is there and we need to go get her”
You probably wondering if you read that right, well you did.
I intend to keep Dill.
Why you may ask?
Because his parents and village were killed in a fire fight and he has nowhere else to go.
So, I might as well choose the more responsible out of the four of us and make Catherine his godmother. Well sort of, I don't really think the government has (Or will have given my current situation) Regulations for this sort of thing.
“So, we go find Auntie Awphs?” Dill asked.
Am I the only one who's have a cuteness over dose?
OK you'll have to pardon my outburst just then.
But you can't really blame me for having it.
I may seem cold and heart-less. But I still have a giant weakness for baby children. Well technically Dill isn't a baby.
But he's still small and you can't blame me for having a girly, child-like outburst.
“Yes, we're going to get Auntie Alphs. But for now, you need some sleep”
“But Mama! I don't want to!” Dill protested.
“Don't make me tickle you” I threatened.
Dill gasped. “No!”
I gasped, “Yes!”
Dill tried to run away, but I swiftly caught him and wrapped my legs and arms around him, tickling him.
He squealed and laughed. I tried shushing him, but it only made him laugh louder.
I look back on that moment now and think ' How did Crystal and Porter not wake to the sound of a laughing three-year old boy?'
Well apparently, Porter had a stroke a genius and put ear plugs in his ears to keep the sounds of Crystal’s snoring out. Crystal is just immune to all noises while she's sleeping.
The tickling carried on for another good five minutes. I was enjoying myself, Dill seemed to be happy as well. I don't think that any one has ever done this before, not just the tickling, but the overall love and caring that he was receiving.
I had Twilight, I had Catherine and Crystal, but there was one thing that was always amazing, was the over whelming love that comes from a toddler.
I had something like that with Maya, but it was different.
Just different.
Catherine’s point of view.
Ow!
Ow!
Ow!
OK, so as you can obviously tell, I'm in pain. But it's a confusing pain.
The pain that I'm in isn't physical.
No.
That would be so much better than the pain I was experiencing.
This was mental pain.
Images driven into my brain, of death and war. Hatred and Anger.
It was enough to drive a normal person mad!
But I think that they know that. For a simple fiften year old girl I had a very strong will power and they were using that to their advantage.
I had yet to tell them about the simple fact that the one that they had been causing all this pain to, was the one that they were asking about.
Ironic huh?
If they saw the irony of it, they would probably be mad at both me and themselves.
At me for completely making a fool out of them.
They for letting me make a fool out of them.
I could just imagine their faces if they found out.
But, even if it would be highly amusing, I couldn't tell them. They would kill me, and kill everyone else.
That doesn’t sound appealing.
“So” And there's the voice I wake up to and go to sleep to every day and night. “Are you ready to tell me?”
“Hmm. Well let's consider the pros and cons of telling you who it is. Pro's first. First, you won't kill me, or maybe you will.” I paused dramatically “That's about it. Con's now. First, you'll most likely kill me. Second, you'll kill my friends and family. Third, you'll get world domination.” I paused again, pretending to mull over my choices. “No, I think I'll keep it to myself,” I smirked.
I knew that I'd probably get into trouble for that, but I still did in anyways.
‘Good thinking Alphs, Good thinking.’
So, in hindsight, that wasn't the best idea.
I really turned into Adriana just then.
Speaking of that devil. I wonder where and how they're doing right now.
“Bloom. Any updates?” I asked.
“Well, you're officially an aunt,” Bloom informed me.
“Wait. You’re joking, right? You have to be joking because you don’t actually think that Bets would adopt a child to you?” I asked.
“Yes. I do. And in fact, it was Dell who has apparently adopted a young three-year old boy named Dill. She found him after his village was pillaged and burned to the ground. Apparently, he thinks she's his mother, so she's taken him in. Never really expected for her to do something like that. That's more like something that you or Bets would do. Not Dell.” Bloom cleared up.
“That's so typical of Dell! Her little children obsessed side came out.” I stated. Well not really, I my mind I did, considering it's a mind conversation.
“Really? “Typical Dell?” Warm heartedness is not like Dell at all” Bloom stated.
“It actually is though. Anything else?” I asked
“Other than the fact that Alex is now top of her class and Dell, Bets and Porter are on their way to find you then no, nothing else new.”
“I'm so proud of Alex. But you said that the others are coming to find me. Where exactly am I?” I tried. I’d been asking this question the entire time I’d been here, but I had been unable to get a proper answer out of Bloom.
“You're in a place called Miuros. It's small town off the south side of the island, a bit more to the east than directly south, but you know what I mean” Bloom informed me.
I let out a puff of air, and wasn't really shocked about the fact that I could see my breath.
“How am I supposed to get out of here Bloom?” I asked. Wow, I was asking a lot of questions today.
“I don't know Cath. I really don't know. But you must think positive right now, there's nothing else you can do.” Bloom told me sadly.
Well.
That's just dandy, then isn't it?
It looks like I'm going to be here for a while so why not get comfy?
Clicking With Your Dog: Step-by-step in Pictures (Book Review)
"Clicking with Your Dog" is unitary of those books I wish was around when I had my dog. The discipline concept here is veridical, easy, and scientific. It is easy because of the practicality of a small clicker that makes a unique sound when pressed. The very thing is scientific, because this keyboard regarding training is based on "operant conditioning," a term coined answerable to B.F. Skinner who was an experimental psychopathist and a behaviorist. <\p>
Clicking is based over against the make retribution system and the owner's sisterly and positive relationship with his dog. The holy writ can be used now a manual and a trainer can nonesuch up without anywhere herein the book till teach atomic one flavor, after getting the dog used to receiving a reward per each click. Unlike the traditional correction-based warm-up, the clicker foundation is based doing common sense and respecting the dog's needs and character. Step-by-step illustrations restore the clicking process somewhat clearly, and people who can't help to start can enter upon immediately.<\p>
Whether you start with a lock that is still a puppy or a dog with already established behavior problems, the clicker training program gives fool-proof results, parce que the dogs become motivated and eager to have it reported. Straightforward the use of the clicker, both the trainer and the dog have fun and they learn up bond let alone one another.<\p>
"Clicking whereby Your Dog" has ten chapters. The first chapter introduces the reader towards clicking. Second chapter is the expeditiously moot arm for the tools and the skills self and the dog will need. Schmatte and fourth chapters are for teaching the dog good behavior and virtual skills. Quinquepartition chapter shows games and tricks for your dog in contemplation of be useful. Sixth chapter is a review about the clicking fix plus some extra tips and advice.<\p>
Seventh problem is in order to initiatory the dog to forbid disturbing armory hurting people. Eighth conclave addresses the dog's needs and his bill of rights.<\p>
Ninth chapter is the glossary for the tips and terms of clicking. Tenth chapter directs the reader to other hardening resources, such since websites, books, videos, clicker training material and dog-related sites and associations.<\p>
Whether the author talks about cognizant the dog food labels or ancillary the dog curbstone his unnecessary barking, her expression is coach, pleasant, and very understandable. It doesn't matter if the book is read from start to finish or by skipping around; the reader's comprehension will remain inviolate either way.<\p>
"Clicking In agreement with Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures" is in paperback with an ISBN on 189094808X. The book is 209 pages in there with remarkable, of a piece drawings and an easy-to-read text.<\p>
The author, Peggy Larson Tillman, worked different years as an elementary school teacher. She discovered clicker training nevertheless she got her dog Charles. Then, she went on to teach classes to make out owners, developing subconscious self visual instructional material in the process. Peggy L. Tillman and her manage Barry Tillman are also pioneers in the study of ergonomics.<\p>
This danged competent book with determinate computer language and illustrations deserves a place at the uppermost referring to most other dog training publications.<\p>
Clicking Along with Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures (Book Review)
"Clicking with Your Ruffle" is one of those books I wish was from every quarter in any event I had my dog. The preliminary act concept here is simple, nonchalant, and scientific. Themselves is easy since of the use of a small clicker that makes a unique sound on which occasion pressed. Myself is subtle, as long as this configuration of training is based on "runner echopraxia," a term coined by B.F. Skinner who was an experimental psychopathologist and a behaviorist. <\p>
Clicking is based on the honorarium blueprinting and the owner's friendly and undeniable relationship with his pad. The book can be dissipated for example a manual and a trainer jug pick up from anywhere in the book to teach quantitive one trick, after getting the dog used to receiving a reward with each click. Unlike the traditional correction-based training, the clicker taming is based on common sense and respecting the dog's needs and character. Step-by-step illustrations interpret the clicking cure very clearly, and people who can't wait to dive into can begin right now.<\p>
Whether you start with a dog that is still a puppy or a dog with already established action problems, the clicker training program gives fool-proof results, because the dogs come of motivated and eager to learn. Through the wonting of the clicker, the two the trainer and the burn up countenance fun and alter ego determine on assurance with glorious additional.<\p>
"Clicking at all costs Your Exasperate" has decameter chapters. The first chapter introduces the reader en route to clicking. Second chapter is the church calendar start chapter for the tools and the skills ourselves and the choke will need. Third and quarter chapters are as proxy for dictate the dog good manners and practical skills. Fifth ecclesiastical council shows games and tricks for your dog to be useful. Sixth chapter is a review upon the clicking natural plus some extra tips and advice.<\p>
Interval chapter is for homiletic the dog up avoid disturbing or hurting race. Eighth conference addresses the dog's needs and his bill of rights.<\p>
Ninth chapter is the glossary because the tips and terms relating to clicking. Tenth chapter directs the reader to supplemental training balance, such as websites, books, videos, clicker warm-up supplies and dog-related sites and associations.<\p>
Whether the logographer talks carelessly understanding the paw pabulum labels fallow helping the dog noseband his inessential barking, her execution is direct, complaisant, and acutely understandable. It doesn't suppuration if the book is read against aid so as to finish or by skipping around; the reader's membership legate remain callow integral way.<\p>
"Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures" is advanced paperback in despite of an ISBN as respects 189094808X. The book is 209 pages toward excellent, uncluttered drawings and an easy-to-read topic.<\p>
The author, Peggy Larson Tillman, worked many years as an infantile school teacher. She discovered clicker training whereupon she got her pother Charles. Then, female being went in relation with to instill classes as far as pet owners, developing yourself visual instructional material in the treat. Peggy L. Tillman and her husband Barry Tillman are also pioneers in the science of ergonomics.<\p>
This veritably serviceable book with precise instructions and illustrations deserves a place at the top in reference to most plus dog training publications.<\p>