Gregor traced the scar along his wrist. The scar he had gotten from his bond, Ares' claw in his lodged in his wrist after they fell onto the ground from slaying a giant white rat called the Bane.
Two years ago, Gregor had gone down to a place called the Underland. A world many miles beneath New York City where lived violet eyed people and giant bats, rats, cockroaches, and many other large creatures.

When Gregor went to the Underland last, he was to slay a large white rat called the Bane who was trying desperately to take over the whole Underland. When Gregor and his bond, Ares, went to seek the Bane, the big rat bit the bats neck as Gregor stabbed the Bane in the heart.
The three crumpled to the earth, and in Gregor's last attempt on saving his bats life he locked hand in claw with him. Two large fireflies had to chew the claw from Gregor's grasp so they could safely take him back to the Underland's main city, Regalia.

Gregor now sat in front of his TV, watching the newsman blab on about the day's weather. Who cares what he says. Everyone knows it over seventy degrees outside! Even though it was no more than seventy degrees outside, it was a scorching ninety in Gregor's tiny apartment.
Gregor was alone. had taken his six year old sister, Boots, to go get ice-cream and run a few errands. His mother and father were at work, his dad was finally strong enough to go back to work. His eleven year old sister, Lizzie, was at summer camp having the time of her life. Gregor's grandmother has died two months before, in her sleep.

As Gregor traced his scar he couldn't help but think of the most wonderful gift he had received after the death of his bat. After he and Boots returned to the Overland she had given him a small plastic bat, also the day she had said his name right.
The small black bat was now on a chain necklace, hanging around Gregor's neck. He choked back tears has he ran his fingers over the slightly detailed bat.

"I really need to get my head out of the clouds," though Gregor. "They don't need me anymore. No more Underland, no more Regailia, no more Luxa...no more Ares."

Gregor shook the thoughts out of his head and struggled as he got up off of the couch. His body still ached, he always told himself it was from the treacherous fall, but really it was from the death of Ares. Not only did it mess up his mind, thoughts, and heart, it also messed up his body. Whatever his heart felt, his whole body felt.

Gregor stretched then shuffled off to the kitchen, his stomach growling all the way. He searched the fridge for any signs of food; all that the fridge held was a half jug of ketchup and half of a two week old apple pie.
The cupboards were just as bare, only holding a teaspoon of oatmeal and vegetable oil. The ends of the months were always the worst, that was when they never had any food in the house.

Gregor was just about to serve himself a piece of pie when Boots and walked in with arm full of groceries. Enough groceries to easily feed a small army and still have food left afterwards.

handed Gregor two grocery bags filled to the brim. "Wow, aren't you getting tall! Oh my, and muscular!" said as she sized Gregor up with herself.

"You said that this morning, ," Gregor laughed as he put the groceries away, his voice was distinctively deeper.

"I know," said matter of factly. "I just cannot believe you are fifteen, Boots is six and Lizzie is now eleven...Any news?"

'News' was the code word for letters from the Underland. Gregor's mother had strictly told them no answering letters from the Underland and no going back down. So Gregor and the rest of his family had to keep the letters a secret if they did find any.

"No, I haven't gotten any news in months. They obviously don't need me anymore since there are no more prophecies," Gregor replied as he checked out Boots' new shoes.

"Oh darling, I am sure they are just busy. Maybe they think your mother will be angry if they send for you again. Don't worry, they will call for you when they are in deep need," she reassured as she rubbed Gregor's shoulder.

"Yeah right," Gregor muttered under his breath while Boots used his foot as a stage for her new doll. She had just gotten interested in barbie dolls and she had gotten a new one that day and had named it Luxa, of course.

"Well kiddo, I gotta hit the road. Your dad should be home soon, your mom called me and told me to tell you she took the late shift, she should be home around eight," said as she opened the door and waved good-bye.

Gregor stood up and stretched, ruining Boots' barbie doll stage, "Sorry Boots but I gotta make lunch."

"That's okay, your feet stink anyway. How about noodles!" Boots called.

Gregor shook his head, "We had noodles yesterday. I'm going to make honey and peanut butter sandwiches if you want one."

"Nah, I don't really want one," Boots complained.

Gregor grabbed the honey and peanut butter out of the now full cupboard and took the bread out. He laid out two slices of bread and spread the peanut butter on it with a butter knife. He couldn't help but feel a little of the rager sensation as he playfully sliced the air with the knife.
A rager is what the Underlanders called a person who could kill with great accuracy. Gregor, the first time he had gone down to the Underland has hit the total of fifteen blood balls which was very impressive down there.

Gregor took a bite out of his sandwich as he walked towards the couch. He slumped down into the couch with a sigh. Boots walked in front of Gregor, her mouth open wide, notifying she wanted a bite. He figured earlier she would want one so he made her one but left it on the counter.

"I made you one, it's on the counter," Gregor garbled through a mouthful of food.

Boots ran off to the kitchen. A few minutes later Gregor heard a loud crash of glass on linoleum. Gregor leapt off of the couch and into the kitchen to find Boots sitting on the ground and a shattered cup around her.

Gregor rushed to her side, "Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry Gregor! I only wanted to be a big girl and get my own juice! I'm sorry! I don't wanna be in trouble!" Boots wailed as she hung her arms around Gregor's neck and he picked her up.

"Oh don't cry baby, you're not in trouble," Gregor reassured as he rubbed her back.

"So, I'm not in trouble? Not even a little?" Boots asked as she sniffled back a tear.

"No, you're not in trouble. Not even a little. Why don't you go watch sponge bob while I clean up the glass?" Gregor told her as he carefully set her down on the carpet that lined the outside of the kitchen.

Boots ran off to the living room and Gregor swept up the glass. When he finished he put the broom and dust pan back and wiped his hands on his pants. He glanced at the clock slowly ticking away on the wall, it was only five-thirty, and his dad would be home soon.

The door burst open and Gregor's mom and dad came in with a steaming hot pizza. His mom must have gotten off early or she would have come at eight.

"How was your day bud?" his dad asked as he ruffled his hair.

"Good, I haven't gotten the laundry done so I should do that tomorrow," Gregor replied.

Gregor's mother nervously glanced at Gregor. She was still worried that he would one day disappear and never come back, even though he had told her millions of times that he would never leave again without her.

Gregor walked over to his mom and hugged her," I won't ever leave you again."

He cut the embrace off and decided to lie down. It was hot and he was not hungry. Before he went to bed he took a cool shower, letting the cold water run over his body and soak his scars and wash his worries away.

When Gregor was done he toweled off and went to bed. He clicked off the light before he lay down. He fell asleep as he stared up at his ceiling.

'Gregor and Ares flew over the waterway with Luxa and Aurora. They had gone on a picnic and they were now flying back to Regalia.

"It is nice. Do you not-" Luxa started, but was cut off by the screech of her bat, Aurora.

A serpent had flung itself out of the water and had grabbed Aurora's leg. It pulled Aurora down, tearing the skin and revealing soft tissue and bone.

Aurora tried to beat her wings but the serpent dragged her down further. Luxa would have tried to fight for her bond but she had brought no weapon.

Luxa screamed as the serpent dragged Aurora down. Ares dove and drove his claws into the serpents face making it bellow and let go of Aurora.

Aurora regained her balance and flew up next to Ares. The serpent flung itself and latched onto Aurora's wing and dragged her down.
Ares clutched Aurora's shoulders in his claws and tried to pull her up while Gregor yanked Luxa onto Ares' back so she wouldn't get eaten.

Ares' claws slipped a little from Aurora's shoulders. Luxa was now trying to leap off of Ares' back but Gregor restrained her from doing so.
"Do not drop her! Do not!" Luxa yelled as she tried to wiggle out of Gregor's grasp.

Gregor whispered into Ares' ear, "You must drop her Ares! If not we will all die!"

"You do not understand! If I drop her Luxa will hate us both! I have already killed her cousin! I cannot do the same to her bond!" Ares hissed back.

Just as Ares tried to regain his hold the serpent gave one last tug, and Ares lost his grip. Aurora was dragged down into the water, screeching the whole way.

"Noo!" Luxa roared and she launched herself off of Ares' back.

"Luxa!" Gregor yelled.

Ares dove down; the serpent came up, his face inches from Luxa's.'

Gregor flew up from his bed, panting. The sun shone in from the curtains, it was already noon. It was only a dream, that whole gruesome thing, was only a dream. Could dreams come true? Ares was dead...wasn't he?

Gregor slid off of his bed and stretched, his back popped. His parents were out at work. Boots was in the living room playing with her dolls. Gregor brushed his hair and put on day clothes. Grabbing a basket of dirty clothes, he put his booths on.

"C'mon Boots. We need to do some laundry," Gregor called. Boots already had her shoes on and she ran up to Gregor's side.

Gregor opened the front door and started down the hallway, throwing a ball for Boots to fetch. The elevator was broken so they had to take the stairs. At least they were cooler.

Gregor trudged down the stairs and into the hall. Boots now held his hand as they walked towards the doorway. Gregor flicked on the light switch and the lights flickered on.

"Ugh! Damn boy! What are you trying to do! Blind us all!" a gruff voice called from a scarred and furry face.