KISS is property of KISS.  For fan entertainment only.  No 
infringement intended.



Part 12 by Lady Space

The rain still poured when the sun tried to rise, throwing a shy light through the 
dense clouds that covered the sky. Her body hurting badly, Desiree peeked through the 
water, trying to realize if it was safe to get out. She slowly moved Lorie from her shoulder, 
wondering how was it possible that the girl slept under all that strain and fear, and then 
walked towards the entrance, watching carefully the place. With a deep sigh she decided 
that it was safe and ran back inside.

"Lorie, wake up" she shook the girl harshly "Come on, wake up damnit…" A 
sleepy Lorie opened her eyes slowly "Des? What's going on? Where's Bruce?" Blushing 
she realized that her dream wasn't really true and tried to get a hold of herself, while 
Desiree laughed.

"C'mon girl… if we're making it back to the camp, then we're doing it now!" She 
pulled Lorie's arm "It's day, sun's shining – or trying to, since all the hell's breaking loose 
with all that rain in there, but it should give us some cover and if that thing really can take 
our scent then it'll protect us a little. We've got to go and be fast!" And saying that, both 
straddled out of their hideout, running towards the camp, not looking back.

*****************************

Ana shrugged and for the 4th time she opened the courtains, in hope it'd have 
ceased. "Damnit… tropical storms… that's all we needed now".

She walked back to a box and sit on it, letting her eyes take in the whereabouts. She 
wasn't comfortable in there, that was for sure. She didn't like that idea… The girls in there 
seemed… weird and she didn't like leaving Shandi alone in Ace's island. Sure, there were 
many people in there and Ace was in there also… as long as her own Ace… and that's what 
scared her most… two Aces… She shook her head trying to shoo away the images of the 
island on fire. No, definitely they didn't need it now. 

How did she agree to do that again? Not the cruise, it had seemed a good idea after 
all… Breno (her Ace) always wanted to meet Ace and she missed him… With a wicked 
smile she let herself back in time a little, remembering how sweet and how much of a friend 
Ace could be, happy that they got to be friends after all… 

She came back to reality when she heard some noise coming from the front of the 
tent. Carefully she slipped forwards and looked through a breech and sighed relieved 
"Damnit, you two scared the hell outta me now!"

She opened the tent to allow the two visitors to enter. "I'm sorry, I'd offer you two 
something to drink but there's nothing. Besides, I wasn't expecting visitors. It's ok that 
you're here Richard, but how the hell did you get your butt in here Elyana? Thought you'd 
be in Paul's island or maybe the – ack - munchkin".

"Well, I thought you might need some help. Guess I was lucky to be able to use the 
boat right before the storm. I came as soon as I heard Ace asked and you agreed to come 
over and take care of Gene's people"

"Not that I had a lot of choice. Gene asked $han and Misha to stay but the two of 
them can't seem to be able to stay away from him! And there's no news from them 'til 
now" she frowned. "And now here I am, stuck in the middle of a bunch of crazy people… 
guess I'll never understand Gene fans!"

"Hey, watch it!" Richard scolded "I was here from the beginning and can't 
understand why they didn't ask me to take care of things!" He paced angrily around the 
room and kicked some condom envelopes "Seems good old Demon has been busy in here 
as well"

"Well, I don't know too Richard but I wish they had let you, so I could be in Ace's 
island or even helping the search… I am going crazy in here thinking that he might be 
hurt… or lost… or even dead… " she turned away, trying to hide the tears that threatened 
to fall when she thought she might never see his face again.

"Calm down Ana… they will find Pete, trust me…" Elyana approached her 
"Besides you better be careful, your cover's been blown… if you don't get a hold of 
yourself,  Richard might notice that you feel more than friendship for the Cat" she 
whispered into Ana's ear. Ana jerked her head abruptly away and whispered harshly "Will 
it make any difference if he doesn't survive after all?"
 
	Taking a deep breath she sit back, looking to Elyana and Richard. "Well, since you 
two are here, we better talk and get things organized… things seem kinda weird in here 
since Gene and the girls left and it will keep my head off…." throwing a glance to Elyana 
"Ace". 

The night came; they lighted a lamp and continued. All people could hear from out 
there were whispers… and occasionally a laugh. 

*****************************

Paul shook his head, distressed. That couldn't be happening. First Peter goes 
missing, then that damned storm and now Gene disappears with the girls! He couldn't 
believe it. Maybe it was his fault after all, maybe he should not have told them to be 
apart… It'd be safer if they were in the same island, but then – he thought – there would be 
too many people to that island… Maybe if they scheduled…

He paced around in anger. His head began to hurt and he knew it'd do no good to 
feel that way, but just couldn't shake those bad feelings off him! He shrugged and picked 
up his acoustic guitar. Good thing he had thought it to be 'emergency supplies'. Quietly, he 
opened the courtains and watched the rain, remembering an old song from Peter Criss. 
Smirking at the irony in it, he softly began "I can't stop the rain, here it comes again…"

A sudden noise startled Paul and woke him up. Darn, he had fallen asleep! 
Throwing the guitar away, he stood up, looking at the rain out there. His first thoughts were 
that no search would be possible before it stopped. Then, he noticed the wet trail coming 
from out there and into the tent. Arching an eyebrow, he took the guitar back, thinking it 
had seen better times and he'd regret breaking it, but it was the only weapon he had right 
now. Silently he stepped inside, mahogany eyes trying to acknowledge the forms and any 
suspect movement in the darkness of the night. He regretted not to have an oil lamp turned 
on, but thought that maybe it was better, for when he fell asleep it could have set the place 
on fire. 

He made his way towards the back of the tent, not being able to see a lot, the guitar 
held in his hand like an axe. Nothing. He frowned, thinking that maybe he had a nightmare 
or a lightning bolt awoke him. Smiling to himself, he turned over to walk towards the 
entrance, and maybe make his way through the rain to be able to eat something, and 
suddenly all went black.

The guitar fell to the ground as its bearer was held up. Darkness and silence reigned 
again.

*****************************

Bruce Kulick wasn't pleased.

He paced absently under the pouring rain, looking very upset. His hands to his back, 
his long hair was tight to his face as he tried to remove a rebel curl from his eyes. He 
looked at the horizon, and then to the sky "For Christ's sake won't that rain just stop? We 
need to get the search team working already, it might be too late for Peter by now… besides 
there's no news from Gene and Lorie…." He looked again at the horizon "Lorie, where are 
you damnit?"

Then he noticed something into the rain. He shaded his eyes from the weak shine of 
the rising sun and looked again, through the thick water curtain. He sighed in relief when he 
could recognize Lorie, walking towards her. Just then he noticed the girl behind her.

Lorie smiled warmly, noticing Bruce's awe at Desiree. She panted as she briefly 
introduced both and said "I need clothes… and food". While Bruce babbled something 
about what had happened to them through the night, she giggled and said "Des, why don't 
you fill Bruce it while I eat something? I just can't stand one more hour without food!" and 
jetted towards the tent that served as a kitchen, leaving a shy but happy Des in front of an 
amazed Bruce.

"Well, I guess since she left you here I better take you in so you won't drown" he 
tried to joke, taking Desiree's hand. She blushed and joked back "If you didn't drown yet, I 
guess I won't, but still I'd appreciate very much to be in a dry and warm place". He threw a 
glance towards her, all wet, clothes drenched showing the bikini she had worn to the 
waterfall trip, and grinned "Well, I have some blankets in there and even some coffee… 
and if you want to get warmer I am sure we can find a way" and took her inside, closing the 
tent shut.

*****************************

A flash of light crossed the night. 

It had been raining for 18 hours straight. 18 hours of anguish and doubt, with no 
news from the others. No flags could be seen for even during the day it was too dark and 
it'd be useless to put them on. No communication.

Mark St.John stepped carefully through drenched forests.

He was alone.

The lead guitarist knew he shouldn't have done it. He knew that it was dangerous; 
he could slip and break a leg, or even fall from a cliff. He knew the best thing was to stay in 
his tent and wait for the rain to stop, but he just couldn't do it.

But Mark was a man of action. He knew they needed to do something; they couldn't 
just sit there and wait while one of them was lost. Even if some of the others had no real 
love for Peter, as he had thought, they had to do something! Hell, he would do the same for 
Vinnie! And thinking about Vinnie, the SOB didn't send the men he promised. Mark's 
island was pretty much empty, not a lot of people in there… Maybe he should go back and 
convince one or two men to help him in the search even tho the rain didn't seem to be 
stopping at all. Maybe it'd be safer…

Suddenly he felt the ground slippery. Feeling it was dangerous, he tried to pull away 
but it was too late. The leaves on the ground were wet and he fell, his leg stretched in a 
really bad way. The lantern got thrown away from him and his head bumped hardly against 
the ground, not hardly enough to make him unconscious, but enough to cause dizziness.

Mark sighed deeply, trying to control his temper. Grumbled something and knelt, 
reaching for the lantern. Trying to put his weight onto his legs, he felt a sudden pain on the 
left one. "Damn… that's all I needed now". Carefully, Mark tried to crawl towards the 
lantern, when he heard something moving behind him. Turning around, he only had time to 
sigh before he could hear a cracking sound and the light disappeared.

Confused, he turned around again. There was no moon, his leg hurt and the rain still 
fell. Now, seems that a rock or something had fallen over his lantern. What a night! He 
thought he knew the direction of the camp and pondered he'd need to crawl there, 
estimating that in 3 or 4 hours he'd cover the distance. Really upset now, he began his 
journey, never noticing the shine of amber eyes that followed him closely and silently 
through the night.

*****************************
Ana grumbled as a ray of light was cast on her face. She tried to turn around and 
then suddenly realized what was happened. Jumping to her feet, she eagerly shook Elyana. 
"Wake up, ELYANA!!!! The sun's shining!" Half asleep, Elyana tried to shut her eyes and 
turn around, but Ana, impatiently, rolled her from the mattress "Wake up damnit… the 
SUN!"

Elyana growled and looked to Ana "Big deal… it'll be there all day! Let me sleep 
Ana! I was having such a good dream with Paul…" Ana thought to herself a little then 
whispered to Elyana "Paul was here, I told him you'd be sleeping all the day long and 
didn't want to see his ugly face"

"WHAT?" the girl jumped from the mattress, eyes widened at Ana and Richard, 
who laughed their asses off at her "Very funny… so, now that you got me awake, what's 
the big deal?" 

"The sun's back, Elyana! The search can finally begin!!!!" Ana bounced happily 
around the tent "Now, I am going back to Ace's Island. Richard, you stay here. Elyana…" 

"I am going with you, yeah… " she put a hand over Ana's mouth "there's no way in 
hell you're going out there alone, and it's useless to argue with me, so shut up and lets go!"

Both girls packed and went to the shore. Boats weren't supposed to be functional 
right after that storm but the man over there wasn't supposed to face two determined 
Brazilians as well so they ended up on Ace's shore. Happily Ana jumped off the boat and 
helped Elyana to the land and both proceeded towards the camp.

Things were kinda messy all around the island, and they guessed it was the storm's 
fault. Trees were down, the ground was really slippery and they could find dead birds here 
and there and once even a wild rat. Talking loudly and laughing, the girls crossed a path 
where they knew there was a natural bridge sculpted in rock. Reaching the top of the 
bridge, Ana noticed something on the path, right in front of them. 

"Elyana, something's there… come with me" 

"But we don't have any weapons… what if it's something nasty that will bite us?"

"Girl, the way I am eager to see if Ace and Breno are ok, if it bites me I'll just bite it 
back. Besides, it's not moving! C'mon…" 

And they ran towards to what seemed to be a pile of clothes. A putrefact smell came 
from it and they could soon notice there was something rotten and old under the clothes.

"Whatever it is, it's pretty much dead. I think we should just go ahead and check the 
camp" Elyana said, tugging on Ana's arm.

"I can't… I am just too curious to let it go!" She looked for a piece of wood and 
held the clothes up for a second "Weird… those clothes do seem familiar to me… but not 
from Ace's island… maybe… Gene's?" She threw the rest of the shirt away and looked 
closely, covering her nose and mouth with a leaf, not to take in the smell.

"Yes, I seem to recognize those clothes too… " Elyana said, in a whisper, gathering 
her courage and joining Ana in her exam, curiosity an issue for her as well.

"Elyana… look… could it be…?" Ana looked at her friend, making a face

"Well, not that I care but maybe there's enough tissue left under the clothes to let us 
now, so let's check already!" Elyana said, with a shrug.

"Ok, here it goes…" Ana took the piece of tore cloth that used to be the pants and 
threw it away, widening her eyes and then looking to Elyana for a second, before both fell 
over laughing "Yep, I'd say it is, yes… Mr. Little Dick himself!" She turned away, 
throwing the leaves out and backing off.

"But… but… wasn't he in Gene's Island?" Elyana seemed puzzled.

"Does it really make any difference?" Ana winked to her "What matters is that we 
got rid of Mr. Shithead!!!! Whooooohooooooo" She jumped along the trail, happily singing 
a song.

"But Ana… but…. But…" Elyana looked back at the dead meat behind them and 
threw her arms out "What the fuck… I hated him anyways! Better him than me! Besides, 
whatever ate him will end up having serious stomach problems!!!" and ran after Ana, 
joining her in the happy song while they proceeded towards the camp.

They could already see the tents, but all seemed so quiet… Ana looked to Elyana 
and her smile disappeared when she looked around. "Shandi… Ace… where are you 
people?" She looked into the tents and all seemed ok, but no one was around. Elyana 
tugged on her arm "Ana… I am not an expert or something… but what does it mean when 
there's NO FLAG at all?"

Ana looked at the flag pole and her world seemed to go down. No flag… what could 
it mean? Even if they were in trouble, there's GOT to have a flag!!! Scared, she entered her 
own tent, looking for something missing. Everything seemed in place, nothing was taken. 
Nothing was broken or ripped. But there was still no one around.

Leaving the tent she went to sit in a rock, looking around. It was not possible. 
Whoever took Pete, whoever killed Mr. Shithead couldn't have taken them all! She 
shrugged and bit her lower lip, eyes carefully watching 

Elyana was the first to see it tho. She walked to the edge of the camp and from there 
she could see the smoke. Worried, she made her way back to Ana, tapping her shoulder 
"Hey, I guess you should see it".

"What?" Ana followed her to the edge of the camp and saw it. A thick roll of smoke 
going up towards the sky. It seemed to come from a peek by their left and Ana thought they 
better check, since being sitting there would do no good after all. 

I was a hard walk. They sit to rest three or four times, the trail really rough to the 
peek. They were almost there when they began to hear something. "Does it sound like I 
think it does?" Ana asked Elyana, an amazed expression to her face. "…a darkness never 
ending… the death of love…"

"I'd say so… Dark Light?!"

Both ran uphill, panting as they reached the peek. Amazed, Ana approached a happy 
Ace, playing an acoustic guitar. He and Breno were sitting face to face, the first played one 
riff and the second followed. Around them, Shandi and the people of the island were lying 
on the ground, smiling, taking a sunbath.

"Ace… what the hell is that supposed to mean? Me and Elyana come from Gene's 
Island and I come here and I see no one in the camp and now I see you all here… and 
everything's weird… and…" she tried to catch her breath while Ace smiled up at her. He 
stood up and held her tightly "Relax, lover, everything's quite ok. Hey, that man of yours is 
good… he could be my cover you know… I know of a band…"

"Cut the crap Ace! What about the flag?" she looked very upset and he looked at 
her confused "Flag? The flag? Oooohhh the flag… you see… we were so happy about the 
sun and all… and… hey, would you care for a tea?"

"Tea??? What's that you're talking about Ace… C'mon, make sense for the sake of 
God!" She shook her head, trying to understand it.

"Ana… come here" Elyana called her, from the middle of the circle. "I think that 
thing might have something to do with it!"

She approached Elyana and saw a bunch of brown mushrooms. "Mushrooms? 
Ace… mushrooms?" she shook her head "I can't believe it…"

Ace approached her again, while Shandi waved to her and approached also "Hey 
Ana… mushrooms… good… Shandi always ate mushrooms…" Ace threw his arm around 
Ana's waist and got close to her ear, while he said "Hey gal, relax… come drink with us… 
We're having fun. One or more hours without a flag aren't that bad don't you think so?" 
and lightly kissed her neck. 

"I can't believe it!!!! Ace!!! You should be more responsible! You over all!" she 
scolded "Don't you realize that Peter is missing? PETER MIGHT BE DEAD!!!!" she 
stomped out, towards the camp. Ace came after her "But Ana… Peter… He can't be dead 
don't you see? And he'll be happy… that we're drinking tea… and he'll like it… and he 
likes Dark Light… but if he prefers we will play Black Diamond…"

"No Ace, you shut up and get that damn mushrooms out of your head before you 
talk to me!!! And it better be soon!" 

Breno rose and walked towards Ana as well "Honey… c'mon…" she looked at him 
with a deadly gaze "You shut up. I don't want to talk to you… to neither of you!" she 
gestured towards people around them. "I am ashamed of you and I expect you all to get 
yourselves together and go down, right now, so you can make yourselves useful and do 
some search!" 

She turned again to leave "And you, Mr. Frehley, I'll talk to you later. Just you and 
me!"

She left the place and Elyana stayed there, holding Ace's arm "Don't go now… any 
of you" she held Breno's arm as well "She is so upset she may as well rip your heads off! 
Here… I'll help you boys…" and she proceeded to help cleaning the mess, thinking that 
it'd take some time for them to get rid of the mushrooms… and that Ana wouldn't be 
pleased about it either. 

She definitely didn't want to be Ace when he went to talk to her…