The sun started to set out in the Cherry Meadows as Kayleigh and Cass finished off their final rogue fusion for the day. They flipped a coin and it landed on heads, meaning Kayleigh gets to prepare the campfire while Cass sets up the tents.
Kayleigh let out a deep sigh. She had been distracted all day. She couldn’t stop thinking about Cass. Ever since their most recent fusion, she could feel the amount of love for her he irradiated. Her face was burning hot, it felt like her blush was going to be permanent. Meredith’s teasing certainly didn’t help. Kayleigh still doesn’t know why she confided in her. And yeah, she did invite him into her house, serenaded him with a song and Cass kissed her afterwards. It’s fine though. They haven’t kissed since, and Cass has gone on dates with other people! They didn’t have an exclusive relationship or anything. It’s fine she kept telling herself, except it very obviously wasn’t.
Before Cass, Kayleigh had sworn off dating so she could focus on her Ranger duties. Except now, she was having trouble doing even the most basic things.
Her mind drifted as she poked at the campfire. Kayleigh remembered when she first found Cass.
It was a regular day for Kayleigh. She was out on patrol when she noticed someone she didn’t recognize on the beach. He was slowly walking out into the ocean. His eyes looked empty. But not empty in the way Landkeepers eyes were. Kayleigh felt such pity for the stranger. She called out to him “Hey there! My name’s Kayleigh. Careful you don’t walk out too far, oceans are pretty temperamental but this one is extra unpredictable.”
The man stopped walking for a moment before nodding his head. He turned around and walked back onto shore. He was an absolute mess. His long, black hair was matted and tangled, his beard scraggly and unkempt. His brown eyes were bloodshot as if he had cried recently, dark circles under them. He wore an old gray t shirt with a band logo she didn’t recognize and a pair of black cargo pants. His clothes were in tatters. Kayleigh was slightly put off by him.
“Nice to meet you Kayleigh. My name is Cass.” His voice was hoarse and rough. He definitely had an ugly cry session recently.
Kayleigh clicked her tongue, rocking back and forth on her feet. “Well, Cass, welcome to New Wirral! There’s a town nearby called Harbourtown. It’s full of people like you and me. We all got whisked away from different worlds and ended up here.” Cass wouldn’t meet her gaze. The tension was thick and awkward.
“Does that mean odds are no one will know me?” His tone was quiet.
Kayleigh was taken aback. “I mean… yeah, seems like it. I haven’t personally met anyone from the same world as mine.” She already felt uncomfortable.
Cass’s expression relaxed. “That means I can start over.”
Kayleigh felt like she had to get rid of this guy as soon as possible. “Right. Well, let me take you into town so you can get checked out by Dr. Pensby. Then we’ll set you up with a house.”
Cass’s face was emotionless but a lot less tense then before. He just nodded.
Kayleigh led Cass back into town. She pointed out different important buildings on the way to the doctor’s office.
They both entered the office as Dr. Pensby was finishing up with a different patient. The patient said goodbye to the doctor before leaving, giving Kayleigh and Cass a polite nod. Dr. Pensby took off a pair of medical gloves with a sigh, throwing them into a bin next to her desk. She looked over and spotted Kayleigh and Cass. “Oh! Good evening. New arrival, Kayleigh?”
Kayleigh nodded. “Yep, brand new fella just arrived today.” She turned towards Cass. “Alrighty then, Cass, the good doctor will examine you, when she’s done, go ahead and head to town hall. They’ll get you set up with a house. I’ve got to go finish my patrol, sooooo…” Kayleigh could not wait to get out of here.
Dr. Pensby directed Cass to an examination table, getting him to sit down. Cass looked at Kayleigh directly. His mouth turned into a small smile. “Thank you, Kayleigh. You saved me.” His tone was quiet and guarded, but Kayleigh could feel it was genuine gratitude. She was a bit taken aback.
“No need to thank me! Just doing my job as a Ranger!” Kayleigh started to feel bad about all the assumptions she made about Cass. She waved goodbye as she left.
A few hours passed as Kayleigh finished her patrol. Thankfully it was a nice and quiet day. She went into town hall to give her report where she saw Cass in a new set of clothes. His hair was brushed out and his beard was cleaned up. Ranger Wilma spotted her. “Ah perfect timing! Kayleigh, could you please escort Cass to the room above the Gramaphone Cafe?”
Kayleigh tried to hide her disdain. Not for Cass, but because her shift just ended! “Of course I’d be willing to help, Wilma.”
As Kayleigh approached the front desk, Wilma leaned forward and whispered to her “Seems you had quite an impression on him. Would not stop talking about how this kind lady saved him, and how he wants to do the same for others.” Wilma waggled her eyebrows.
Kayleigh scoffed and rolled her eyes, a light blush on her face. “Right, sure, whatever Wilma. Give me the keys so I can drop him off already.” Wilma chuckled as she handed Kayleigh a set of keys.
Kayleigh walked over to Cass who was looking at the sticker vending machine. “No food or drinks in that one, sorry. It’ll be okay, let’s get you home and set up then I’ll treat you to a meal at the café. Sounds good?” Cass nodded quietly. Kayleigh sighed internally.
She escorted Cass to the apartment above the Gramaphone without any issue. She led him inside and gave Cass a tour of the property. His eyes seemed to linger to the window. “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here! Now, let’s go get some food at the café, I’m starving.”
Cass shook his head. “It’s okay, you don’t have to do this.” He took a seat on the bed. “I appreciate all your help. I mean it. But you don’t have to force yourself to keep interacting with me if you don’t want to.” He looked at Kayleigh with a somber smile.
She flinched a little bit. Was Kayleigh being that obvious? She shook her head. “Nah, no one is being forced to do anything. It’s uh, customary for someone to offer a meal for a newcomer’s first day.” An obvious lie. But she just wanted Cass to feel welcomed. God, Kayleigh felt like she’s been bungling all her interactions with him. She just didnt know how to handle someone that looked so obviously sad. It was like looking at a wet puppy.
Cass turned towards the window looking out onto the ocean. “Okay well, if you say so. I am feeling hungry for once.”
The pair went downstairs into the cafe, where they were greeted by Clemence. “Good evening Kayleigh!’ She spotted Cass next to Kayleigh. “New arrival?”
Kayleigh nodded “New arrival” Clemence seated them at a table next to a window. Kayleigh ordered a cup of tea with some pastries while Cass looked over the menu. “Want any recommendations?”
Cass shook his head. “No, thank you though. I just… gotta be careful with what I eat is all.” Cass sighed as he looked over the menu multiple times. “Oh, screw it.” he said under his breath. Clemence came back and took his order, a croissant with strawberry milk. Cass stared at his plate, as if unsure about whether or not he deserved to eat.
Kayleigh watched him carefully. Cass was so strange. What was wrong with this man? Normally with new arrivals she’d get their life stories and moved on. They would talk about themselves and their worlds non stop. But Cass was different. He never interrupted anyone, he didn’t drone on and on about the things he missed from his previous life, didn’t complain about anything yet. He didn’t act like he was the main character of one of those another world stories. But he had such a deep sadness that permeated from within.
Cass finally took a bite out of a croissant. His eyes widened. He took a sip of his drink. He wolfed down his food in no time, letting out a content sigh. He looked over at Kayleigh, embarrassment plain on his face. “I-I’m sorry. I just haven’t eaten in a long time, and the food was really good and—” His voice trailed off as he got quieter with each word.
Kayleigh shook her head. “It’s fine to be hungry, buddy. Here let me-” she grabbed a napkin and reached forward, brushing crumbs out of Cass’s beard and off his shirt. Cass looked away, trying to hide his face.
“T-thank you. I’m sorry for being such a bother.” His tone was still quiet.
Kayleigh sighed. “Cass if you keep saying sorry I’m going to use my authority as a Ranger to start fining you.”
Cass opened his mouth but immediately closed it. He just nodded. Kayleigh let out a triumphant ‘hmph’. Clemence came back around, giving Kayleigh the check. She paid for the meal and the duo left the cafe as the sun was beginning to set.
Kayleigh lifted her arms up and stretched. “Well then, that was nice. It was great meeting you, Cass.” She held out her hand. Cass very awkwardly shook it. “Be sure not to wander too far away from Harbourtown. There’s a lot of dangerous things out there.”
Cass nodded. “Thank you, again, Kayleigh.” His gaze avoided Kayleigh completely. She shook her head as she walked back home, Cass going upstairs to his own home.
Days passed by with no incident. Kayleigh was feeling restless. She enjoyed the peace and quiet, but she wanted to fight something. She walked out onto the beach where people get washed up. Instead of anyone new, she spotted Cass sitting on the beach, staring out into the horizon. His face was somber. Kayleigh sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
She quietly approached Cass and sat next to him. “Hey there. It’s dangerous out here unless you’re a Ranger, y’know.”
Cass nodded. “I know it is. I had to shoo away a crab wearing a weird hat. But it’s okay. It was worth it to see the sunset.”
Kayleigh looked out onto the horizon as well. Cass was right, this was a beautiful sight. The warm hues of red and orange left her awestruck. She never took the time to look at such things, always worried about patrolling and protecting Harbourtown. “You keep staring out at the water. What’s that about?”
Cass keep peering out. “It’s because I’m scared. Of the ocean, I mean. I’m… trying to work through it.”
Kayleigh squinted at Cass. “So you fought a Traffikrab… to do exposure therapy?” She couldn’t believe it.
“I didnt really fight it, just… shoo’d it away. I asked it nicely and it left.” Cass sniffled a little bit.
Kayleigh sighed. “Right. Well, don’t come out here like this again. I’m serious, it’s dangerous out here. You honestly got lucky, you could have gotten hurt, or worse, died.”
Cass’s expression turned dour. He spoke in a faint whisper, almost inaudible. “Maybe that’s what I want.”
Kayleigh’s eyes widened. “Cass you can’t say stuff like that. I know it’s rough being whisked away to somewhere unfamiliar, but I promise it’s not as bad as it could be. Harbourtown is full of kind people. We help each other where we can, it’s a strong community.” Kayleigh fought back a wince when she mentioned the word community. She pushed those memories away for the moment.
Cass turned his gaze at Kayleigh. His brown eyes lacked any emotion. It’s as if any light that was once present were now snuffed out forever. “That is nice. I appreciate how much people have shown me so much care and kindness. I haven’t felt so welcome somewhere in so long. But I know I’ll just be a burden in the long run.” He turned back towards the ocean.
Kayleigh stood up, her face expressing anger and frustration. “Listen here Cass. It’s okay to be sad but you can’t let it rule you. You don’t even know if you’ll be a burden yet! Everyone is useful in their own way. Clemence opened a cafe for goodness sake.” She sighed angrily. “I don’t know what your life was like before this, I’m not going to ask and it’s none of my business. I’m sorry for being insensitive but you’re here and you’re alive. The best thing we can do is take things one step at a time. Even if it hurts, we need to keep moving forward. Plus it’s like you said the other day, you can start over.” She offered Cass a hand.
Cass looked at her. He nodded slowly, taking her hand and pulling himself up. “Yeah.. yeah you’re right. Although you could’ve worded that more politely.” He smiled.
Kayleigh rolled her eyes. “Listen I’m doing my best here. Now c’mon let’s take you back to town.” Kayleigh and Cass walked up the beach.
Just as Kayleigh was going to turn to check on Cass, he pushed her away. “What the-“
A Carniviper was latched on to Cass’s left arm, flailing around. Cass yelled out in pain, using his other hand to punch the beast in the face. It wasn’t letting go. Kayleigh pressed play on her cassette player, becoming enveloped in static. Her body expanded and contracted as she turned into the beast Sirenade. She batted the Carniviper off of Cass’s arms. He was bleeding profusely.
Cass’s eyes showed no fear or panic, but concern. “Kayleigh are you okay? That thing lunged at you. I didn’t mean to push you so hard, my body moved on its own.”
Kayleigh was dumbfounded. This guy was standing there, bleeding out from his arm and he was worried about her? “I’m okay, but you need to go to Dr. Pensby now.” Cass nodded. He took his shirt off and wrapped it around his arm. His chest and stomach were covered in old scars. The Carniviper returned. This time Kayleigh pushed Cass out of the way, blasting the beast away with an Energy Shot. She didn’t understand why this Carniviper was so determined to attack them. She turned around to run but bumped into Cass. “Why aren’t you moving?”
Cass pointed ahead. They weren’t being repeatedly attacked by one Carniviper, there were four of them being led by a Masquerattle. The Masquerattle hissed as its tail rattled, approaching the duo slowly.
Kayleigh used Energy Shot again, but it bounced off of Masquerattle’s mask. It flicked its tongue, completely unfazed. “Damn it.”
Cass raised his fists. “Oh you are not fighting these things without transforming.” Kayleigh reverted back to her human form, handing Cass her spare cassette player. “Here, put a tape in and hit play. You’ll transform and be able to fight these things properly.”
Cass grasped the cassette player. Kayleigh pulled out a tape and as she was handing it to Cass, it was blasted out of her hand, laying destroyed in the sand. She whipped around and the Masquerattle was flicking its tongue again. If she didnt know any better, she swore that it was smiling. They were in trouble now. She transformed again, ready to fight. “Cass. I need you to run and go get any ranger you can find to come help. I promise, I’ll be okay just GO!” Cass took off as soon as she the words spilled out of her mouth. Two Carnivipers chased after him, but Kayleigh used Energy Shot on one and Smack on the other, knocking them away.
As Kayleigh turned to face the Masquerattle, it slammed its tail against her, knocking her to the ground. It brought its tail back down for a second attack. Kayleigh braced herself for impact. She was low on health, there’s no way she would survive the hit. Her backup tape was shattered. Kayleigh expected the worst. At least she managed to save one more person as her final act.
But the hit never came. She opened her eyes and saw Cass holding up the Masquerattle’s tail. His arm was bleeding through the shirt wrapped around it. His eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his skull from the pressure. “Move. Heavy.” He said with great strain. Kayleigh scrambled away. Cass dropped the tail in front of him, sand being thrown everywhere. The Masquerattle hissed, flicking its tongue in anger. It turned its attention to Cass, body slamming him. Cass lifted up his arms to defend, but it didnt help. Kayleigh heard a loud crack, Cass screaming in agony as he got tossed away. The Masquerattle turned towards Kayleigh again, slithering forward.
But something held it back before it could lunge. Behind it was Cass, lying on the ground, grabbing the beast by its tail.
“No more.” He coughed as he stood slowly. “I refuse to stand by as more people get hurt on my behalf. I’m not going to let the universe push me around anymore.” He looked upwards, his eyes filled with determination and courage. “This time… I’M FIGHTING BACK!” Next to Cass, the magnetic film of the destroyed tape pulled the broken halves together, reforming in Cass’s hand. It was stamped with a sticker Kayleigh didn’t recognize.
Cass let go of the Masquerattle’s tail, slamming the tape into his player. As the beast opened its mouth to bite down on Cass, he pressed the play button. His body became static as he transformed. Out of the static came a fist, punching the Masquerattle’s mouth, destroying one of its fangs. The beast fell backwards, knocking up more sand.
The dust cleared, and there stood a beast Kayleigh had never seen before. Its head was in the shape of a gray mask, wearing a vest made of ropes. On each of its wrists were green sweat bands. Its skin was purple, wearing shorts made of canvas with the logo of a boxers bell.
The Masquerattle tried to slither away, but Cass grabbed it by the tail again, this time pulling it directly into another punch. Cass lifted the beast up into the air before slamming it back down. He pinned the snake down under his foot, letting loose a barrage of punches, knocking it unconscious.
The remaining Carnivipers surrounded him. Kayleigh stood up and began shooting Energy Shots at them, causing them to disperse. She glided over to Cass’s side. They stood back to back as the Carnivipers returned, circling around them.
Cass looked over his shoulder at Kayleigh. “I have an idea.”
Kayleigh batted away a Carniviper with her wings. “I’m all ears!”
Cass punched another snake out of the air. “I’m gonna grab the big snake and swing it around and take them all out.”
Kayleigh was flabbergasted but it wasn’t like she had any better ideas. “Okay and what do I need to do?” She smacked away another one of the snakes.
“Get them to chase you. Maybe they’ll be dumb enough to run in a line.” Cass wiped some sweat off of his brow.
“I’m going to be bait? Ugh, fine! Ready on three!” The Carnivipers were circling around them once more, their attacks becoming less frequent but more precise.
“One. Two. THREE!” Kayleigh dove forward, the four beasts chasing after her. As they were about to reach Kayleigh, Cass swung the unconscious Masquerattle against them, sweeping them up alongside the large beast. He spun around three times before releasing the Masquerattle, tossing the beasts into the ocean. Cass dusted his hands off before falling back onto the sand. His transformation ended, with Cass sprawled out on the ground, panting heavily.
Kayleigh reverted back to her human form, landing next to Cass. She turned towards look at him. “Cass. I want to preface with saying I super appreciated that, but what is wrong with you?! You could’ve died.”
Cass met her gaze. “Yeah but… if that meant you didn’t die, I’d be okay with it.” Kayleigh furrowed her brow. “But… at the same time, deep down I felt like… I wanted to see the sunset tomorrow. I thought about how it’d be cool if we could hang out again. Maybe eat at the cafe. Volunteer at town hall. Help people in whatever way I can.”
Cass’s eyes didn’t look empty anymore. Kayleigh was stunned at how different he looked with such a small change. She felt a small blush on her face as she turned away. “Well, I’m glad you found the drive to survive. But please, don’t do that again. And don’t use me as bait!”
Cass chuckled. “I promise I won’t.” He held his fist up towards Kayleigh. She shook her head as she returned the gesture, fist bumping with him.
Back in the present, Kayleigh smiled. From that day forward, Cass joined the Rangers. They spent so much time together as they searched for clues on how to get back home. She was pulled out of her reminiscing when she heard Cass swearing. “You good Cass?”
“Yeah just… random Pombomb burned down my tent.” He sighed, standing in front of a pile of cinders. “I’ll just stay outside and keep watch it guess.”
Kayleigh gulped. Her first reaction was to offer her tent for him to use by himself but she had a different idea. It was now or never. She had to make her move or else Viola will keep her promise.
A week ago, Viola confronted Kayleigh about their mutual romantic feelings for Cass. “If you do not act upon thine own feelings, then I shall act upon mine own. And I know you shall regret it for the rest of your days.” Her face expressed determination.
Kayleigh looked shocked and hurt. “Viola I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, I-.”
Viola interrupted her. “You know very well that of which I speak. Resolve this within the fortnight or I shall claim him as my own.” She left Kayleigh standing there. Kayleigh bit her lip as anxiety coursed through her body.
Kayleigh tried to push the memory away. She slapped her own face, shaking her head. She took a deep breath and stood up. “Um, actually Cass! We could share my tent. I wouldn’t mind!” Her voice raised a few octaves at the end.
Cass looked at her confused. She could tell he was trying to hide how flustered he was. “Uh, Kayleigh I don’t think that would be appropriate you know? I appreciate the offer. I do!” He turned away quickly. Kayleigh caught that a blush was forming on Cass’s face.
Kayleigh felt a twinge of pain in her heart. But she couldn’t give up now. “Oh, please, Cass! We’ve known each other for a while now. I feel comfortable around you. Plus, how would this be an issue? We’ve already k-kissed before.” She spoke those words more quietly. She cleared her throat before continuing. “A-anyways! I know you would never do anything I was uncomfortable with.” She gulped again as she looked at Cass.
He turned his gaze at her slowly. Cass took a deep breath, walking towards Kayleigh. She felt like her heart was about to explode out of her chest. Cass stood in front of her. She looked up at him, realizing just how tall he was. His frame was massive but she didn’t feel scared or intimidated. It felt comforting if anything.
“Kayleigh, I… oh to hell with it, I can’t keep hiding this anymore. Kayleigh I’m madly in love with you. I have been for a while. And no it’s not because you saved me when I first arrived on New Wirral. I held you in high esteem but it was respect, not romantic feelings. Not until… not until after we fused for the first time. When i got to feel your heartbeat alongside mine it felt like I was whole. Before then there was an empty space inside me, but you… EVERYTHING about you made me feel like all aspects of my life were brighter, more beautiful. I had already gained such an appreciation for life, but you only enhanced those feelings. I was ready to let it all go, but when you played that song for me I… I felt such a deep hunger, I felt like I needed to kiss you right then and there or else I’d never have the chance again. I thought I messed up when we never talked about it again. Then I had to help Eugene with the Landkeepers and I just didn’t have the chance to find you.” Cass let out a shakey breath. “I’m sorry for dumping all of this on you I just… I wanted you to know in case anything happened to either of us. I… I wanted you to know just how loved you are. At the same time… I want us to be together.”
Kayleigh felt like her face was going to melt. She coughed, trying to act non chalant. “A-Aye I thought you might.” she had no idea this was going to happen. “T-Truth be told, I don’t think I saw you in that way until we fused.” Nope, way before that. She just couldn’t accept it. “I mean, I’ve had a few relationships with a few boys, but, I never really… felt anything from them.” Because none of them respected Kayleigh as much as Cass had their entire platonic relationship. She sighed, letting her true feelings spill out. “It might sound a wee bit silly, but when we fuse… I feel like I feel your soul… And that maybe I know you in a way I don’t know even know myself. I don’t know if I have a word to describe it.” She reached a hand up, gently caressing Cass’s cheek. “I… I think you’re beautiful. Of course, I want to be with you. And even if we one day have to part, it’ll have been worth it, I think.”
Cass nuzzled into Kayleigh’s hand. “I think so too.” He said it quietly, kissing the palm of Kayleigh’s hand.
Kayleigh smiled softly. “Well, you have a girlfriend now! And she’s a budding musician! Aren’t you lucky!” she pulled Cass into a tight embrace. “We should celebrate.”
Cass chuckled. “I think I have an idea of how.” He leaned down and kissed Kayleigh. They held each other for what felt like an eternity. A pleasant eternity.
In the distance, Eugene cried tears of joy. “Aren’t they so beautiful together?”
Viola next to him chuckled. “I dare say your plan faired well, Clemence.”
Clemence had a smug look on her face. “Why but of course. I am a master of romance.”
Felix joined the group, having reverted to his human form from a Pombomb. “I can’t believe that actually worked. Cass didn’t even recognize me!”
Meredith scoffed. “I thought this was going to be a nothing burger. I’m glad this turned out being better than watching Blood Punch for the nth time.”
Barkley’s tail was wagging furiously in happiness as Sunny was writing down the events she just witnessed. “T-This was great, guys. I’m really learning a lot about how to interact with people.”
The group of friends collectively sighed in relief, estatic at the prospect of not needing to deal with Kayleigh and Cass’s ridiculous ‘will they won’t they’ anymore.