I'm back! This new story is a sequel to my other Gorillaz fanfiction, "Keeping a Fish", so if you haven't read it, some things may not make any sense. Any way, this new fanfic is more about Murdoc's struggles with the Black Clouds and the Boogeyman than Aqua and 2D. Although there will be some of that in this story later. This chapter is just kind of an introduction to the concept. This takes place a few weeks after the other one left off, so there are some changes, as in Aqua is sleeping alone and she has a scar on her left shoulder, and the green fog is still there. Also, Aqua considers Murdoc to be responsible for her falling out with 2D. Murdoc also now kind of sees Aquamarine as a sort of daughter, kind of the way he used to treat Noodle, but still with his creepy horniness *cringes*. Anyway, it's a shitty chapter, but give nice reviews, okay?

It was that fog again.

This was the fourth night in a row that Murdoc had woken up without the ability to breathe. And the fog hadn't lifted even after Aqua's return. Not that it had anything to do with her, of course. But that sodding green vapor was going to kill him one day.

In his dark bedroom he gasped for breath and hoped his lungs would clear soon. Funny thing was, the fog didn't seem to affect neither 2D nor Aqua; 2D only saw harmless white fog while Aqua saw nothing at all. It was him, wasn't it? The boogeyman. Here on the island. Waiting for the opportune moment to snatch the soul he no longer possessed.

"I'm right here, you bleeder," Murdoc grumbled into space as his lungs cleared. "I'm vulnerable and I'm waiting. Come and get me."

Nothing answered. Murdoc glanced at his digital clock. 2:38 am. About time he woke up. If he continued to sleep in like this, he'd never get that album finished.

Not bothering to put anything on over his briefs, he lumbered out of bed and shuffled drowsily to the lift. He pushed the up button, stepped inside, and pressed the button for the study. He wanted to finish mixing their latest song. After that, they'd be three down, who-knows-how-many-more to go.

Once the doors opened, he decided he wanted to check on Aqua to make sure she hadn't suffocated in her sleep. He pushed a book on the bookcase entitled "The Bastard", and descended down the revealed staircase.

About two thousand steps later, he came to a plain door which he opened, revealing his cluttered secret lair. Against one wall were several monitors, against another a large book on a pedestal, yet another was Aquamarine, curled up underneath a thin blanket and a cheap pillow. Murdoc stole over to her, careful not to make a sound, and crouched over her. She looked so innocent when she was asleep, her hair enveloping her face, a soft breast nearly peeking out of her shifted tank top (he had finally gotten around to buying her actual clothes). Murdoc brushed the dark, curly hair from her jawline. Her gills opened and closed rhythmically. She was still alive.

Suddenly her eyes flew open and she looked up at him. "Sorry, love, I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered.

"I have survived this night, as every other night. You do not need to check on me so frequently."

"I know. I just worry sometimes. I used to do the same with Noodle...Blimey, I hope she's alright..."

"You woke up breathless again, did you not?"

Murdoc nodded. "Are you sure you haven't had any difficulty breathing?"

"No." Aqua sat up now. Murdoc could see the scar on her shoulder flex a little. "This thing, this 'fog' you claim is there, it seems to be composed of water. I have been breathing more freely lately."

Murdoc smiled. "That's a relief. Anyway, go back to sleep. I'll be in the studio if you need anything." He began to walk away.

"Let me up there with you."

Murdoc turned around. "You need your rest, angelfish."

"Why do you treat me like an offspring? I am fully grown. Ever since 2D rejected me, you have treated me like I have not yet reached maturity."

"Aqua, I only mean to protect you. There are...dangerous forces out there. There are things out there bent on destroying me. I don't want you to get caught up in that. At this hour you're more vulnerable than ever."

"Murdoc, you do not understand. I am a strong warrior. I can protect you. I can-"

"Trust me, you don't want to have to protect me. You don't know what they're capable of."

"I have dealt with worse, I am sure."

"No you haven't."

"Yes, I have."

Murdoc turned to leave, but Aquamarine grabbed him by the ankle. Her tone turned acidic. "You cost me my mate. You owe me freedom."

"I don't owe you anything. You asked me."

"That is true, but you fed me those white shapes. I would have never asked you to mate if I had not swallowed them. The fault is yours. You owe me something, and I demand liberation from your degrading commands."

Murdoc sighed. Well, she was partly right, at least. But he hadn't meant to get her high. He only wanted to make her stop hurting. Not that he regretting anything. Because he certainly didn't.

"2D does not yet know about the objects you fed me. If you do not comply, I will tell him."

Murdoc knew that this was not an empty threat. He also knew that even when she did tell him, he wouldn't face any consequences. 2D was scared shitless of him. But he decided to humor her. "Fine. Come up with me if you want, but don't expect anything too physical..." he snickered.

"I was not planning on it." He stopped laughing. Aquamarine let go of his ankle and meticulously folded the blanket off of her. She stood up gracefully, readjusting her tank top and shorts. "Infernal contraptions, these 'clothes'." Murdoc mentally agreed. If it weren't for clothes, she'd be a lot more fun to look at. Not that she wasn't already. But he couldn't think that way; it was too risky on too many different levels. Murdoc began to ascend the staircase.

Aquamarine grabbed his shoulder. "Tell me, what is so formidable about the forces out to kill you?"

Murdoc sighed. "It's not really how formidable they are, per se, it's more how angry they are with me."

"Why? What did you do to them?"

"I'll tell you when we get upstairs." And he took her hand and led her up the infinite staircase.