Izzy felt Guillotine Cutter’s body grow limp within the snares of her roots. As quickly as they had engulfed him, the roots sunk back beneath the ground, leaving holes in the earth surrounded by clumps of grass and dirt.
	She had succeeded. The foliage above quivered slightly in triumphant ecstasy before a gentle, warm summer breeze ruffled through the leaves. It was certainly the right choice, a tree, and part of her would have been content to stay that way. She felt a sense of strength, of immovability as the roots found their way into the deeper, cool earth below and settled in a tangled, complex system. But she had not yet finished what she had started. She had things to do, and promises to keep. Trevor’s presence at the base of her trunk was a solid reminder of that.
	Thankfully, no sooner had she simply thought it, did she turn back to her human form, her arms still raised above her head. She lowered them and took a deep breath, refocusing on the night around her. She looked to Trevor, and hurried to him, carefully pulling him to his feet. Though she suspected he may have a couple bruises on his neck upon the morrow, he looked otherwise unharmed.
	“You’re okay,” she breathed. Before she fully thought the action through, at having him safe once more, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, forgetting to be careful.
	“Oh!” Izzy pulled away at his statement, and gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry.” She looked him over again, this time taking in the dirt that dusted him. She glanced to herself. Slowly, a smile spread over her face. After everything and against all odds, it was finally almost over. She had defeated the hunters. Retrieved Cerasus’ limbs--at least, she would soon, if Cutter cooperated. Saved Trevor. So, she did the only thing she could do; Izzy let out a long, relieved laugh that echoed around the dark athletic field.
	“I can think of much worse to be covered in right now,” she said once her laughter came to an end. “C’mon. Let’s get you home. I’m not letting you out of my sight until you’re safely behind a locked door!”

[center][h3]The Following Day[/h3][/center]
	Izzy groaned irritably when she felt someone shaking her, trying to wake her. With Trevor back at his home, when she returned to the abandoned school, she had called it a night a bit early, even before Cerasus, yet she still had no desire to wake. But the shaking persisted. She forced her eyes open with a scowl, expecting to find Cerasus, but she startled to semi-alertness and lifted her upper torso when it was Riley’s face she saw instead, displaying his usual demeanor. Which, as annoying as it was, at least meant there was nothing life-threatening to worry about. For the moment, anyway.
	She only blinked as he bid her good morning, trying to banish the heaviness of sleep that still clung to her. She watched him leave, momentarily contemplating going back to sleep. With a soft sigh, she sat up and stretched. She stopped when she noticed Cerasus in an envious slumber not far from her. Izzy looked at him for a short moment longer than necessary, her head cocked slightly as she wondered why he had chosen the same room as her for the day. After all, the last time they had shared a room was when he had turned her.
	Pushing the thought aside, she got to her feet as quietly as she could to keep from disturbing Cerasus, quickly fixed her hair into her usual, favored style, then groggily made her way to the rooftop.
	She paused at the door at the end of the dilapidated staircase, the sound of a light drizzle pattering against the roof sharp yet comforting. Slowly, tentatively, she opened the door and stepped out into the gray light with cautious steps, testing the protection the clouds granted.
	The fresh, crisp scent of the rain was greatly welcomed after the dank mustiness of the school. She inhaled, relishing the smell and letting the cool wetness it brought with it wash away the little of slumber still lingering about her.
	Easily spotting Riley, Izzy made her way to him, the raindrops slowly soaking her and creating dark spots on her clothes. She stopped when he noticed her, hands in her jeans pockets. When he tossed the bag to her, she blinked at it in surprise and took a half step back.
	“That,” Izzy answered. She looked from the bag to Riley, suspicion in her eyes and tone, “and there’s gotta be another reason you wanted to meet on the roof. In the rain. During the day. At least, there’d better be.” She raised her eyebrows. “Because that," she nodded to the bag, "could’ve waited until we were both awake.” She crossed her arms and stifled a yawn. “What is it you wanted to 'chat' about?”