Author's Notes:

I wish to thank you for reading my story. I have two more chapters of this one. The sequel to this one is already in the works. I do hope you enjoy the next two chapters then that. You all have a wonderful day.

It's early morning on July 1st and we just got into Wisconsin. The damage here looks like a nasty storm went through here. But it's just trees and tons of floods. The trees will stay but the floods will not. But it will take time for the water to go down. Looking to the GPS it said it would take four hours to get through Wisconsin I think Lyra needs a break from riding in here. So when we get to Lake Michigan we will get out of the car for a bit. But It was a slow trek because of all the trees.

Lyra hanged her head out of the car window. using her magic to lift the trees out of the way the best she could. Going slow because, well I don't want to destroy the car anymore. The tornado did some nasty stuff to it. I'm lucky it didn't destroy the gas container. It would be bad to have to keep refilling. The car was getting old. I felt my nerves getting to me. I opened the window to feel the fresh air fill my nose. Anger slowly started to fill me. I got so tired of being here in this car. I tried my best to hide my anger by hanging my head out of the window taking deep breaths of the fresh air.

But it was easier to see out because thanks to the Tornado the windshield got pretty banged up. " There is another big tree Lyra, can you get it?" The magic wrapped around it and she looked to be getting tired from using to much of her magic. The road looked a mess it seemed nasty storms have been going on for awhile. But parts of the road looked broken from the trees. Again it started to rain. It poured but no heavy winds. Pulling my head back inside the car. Closing the window I heard a very anger mare beside. She wanted to shake but she knew I wouldn’t let her, she was soaking wet. She stared at me her eyes full of anger.

" I hate this world's weather!!" Laughing, I closed both windows and turned the wipers on. These storms are pretty normal at times. Then the rain let up as fast as it hit. Of course again the weather is crazy. It seems to be like it has...Like it always had a mind of its own. It's got to the point that I doubt I will be able to keep us going again. But the road finally cleared. No more trees. But I could see many bolts of lightning from the storm. Looking to the GPS Another few hours and we will be there. The Gps asked me to keep following Highway 90. But the highway looked very beat up thanks to all the storms.

" Eat something Lyra. It’s going to be awhile before we stop again. I refuse to stop till we get there." I looked over to Lyra, she looked very exhausted and tired. The muscles in her body. I could tell them to be tensed and she had a lot of stress from being in this car. But she did what I asked. She ate an MRE even without cooking everything with the water. It's going to be needed to get there. But I heard something snap looking around seeing the trailer had snapped off but was still somehow connected. Stopping the car, I got out and went to go look at the trailer. I discovered that the hitches connecting them broke. It got more beat up then even I saw back there. I felt my stress building again. " Lyra, I need your magic."

Lyra came out of the car looking very tired. She had overused her magic. " Malla.. I can barely walk, but...I can try." Her horn sparked weakly, her magic holding the trailer together to the hitch. I closed my eyes trying to force the fire out of my body. I didn’t know what to do at first. But I allowed my nature to take control. .

" Think fire....think fire..." Deep inside my body. I felt the core of my fire burning. A moment of the fire I felt go through my body. I could feel the fire dancing along the flesh inside me. It burned the sensitive flesh in my throat. It even hurt for but a moment. I felt like I was having heart burn and it sat in the back of throat. My instincts took over, releasing the fire. It hit the strange thimble mixing with a fluid and a strange ozone feel and the fire came. Opening my mouth burping out fire it hurt so much at first. Aiming right at the hitch fusing it to the trailer. Coughing after I was done. " Smooth." Coughing up smoke.

" Malla... I need to rest..." Lyra fall on her side.I quickly ran to her side. Placing my claw on her head feeling that she had a bad fever. She looked sick as well. Maybe the magic was over used. Gently picking her up laying her in the back with the dogs. She didn't argue and the dogs wrapped their bodies around her keeping her warm. She just looked so out of it. Stroking her head gently I didn't know what to do. Should I stop somewhere no..I need to get going...Looking back at the GPS only a few more hours and we will be in the next state. But is it wise for me to hurt Lyra like this.

"Lyra" I gently said. She opened her eyes looking to weak to even lift her head. "Do you wish me to stop?" She just shook her head. I think she wanted me to keep going even if she was in danger. Looking back to the GPS getting to Michigan or helping my friend. Looking closer at the GPS, we were close to a town called Delton. I lifted my head seeing a sign saying town of Delton exit ahead. I feel I may need to go into this town. To do a search for others and maybe find a hotel to cover Lyra in many blankets to keep her warm. Closing the back door, i got back into the car and drove off to Delton. Going down the exit to get into the town. Looking around for a hotel. I found that the town was pretty small. I saw many cars without anyone near them or around them. Seeing the bodies of many dead dogs and other animals sprawled around. Some of the recently ripped part. I found a small medicine shop. Looking back to Lyra I needed to save her. I don't know if she can have any human medications. Going through Delton to Dell wood. I found one of those old cheap hotels off the road. Looking back at Lyra she was looking worse.

Parking right at the hotel opening the door. "Come on you two." Lifting Lyra up in my front arms. She felt cold as well. Breaking the long with my other claw to get inside one of the rooms. I placed Lyra on the bed. Going to each room grabbing all the blankets I could. Wrapping her in many blankets. I kept her head exposed seeing sweat pour off her face and forehead. She didn’t even look that healthy. Slowly I stroked her head didn’t know what to do I didn’t know what to think. I was so worried and upset. Then it hit me I need meds. Slowly leaving the room turning to see the dogs get on the bed to lay near Lyra to keep her warm. “I will be back.. Keep her warm.” Getting out of the hotel room seeing in town there is a Walgreen's. Rushing to it not caring if I can't run that well.

I ran as quickly as I could to the Walgreen's tripping on feet many times. I Fell on my very face once as I quickly tried to stand back up. My target was not that far from me when I turned I saw more bodies of animals some looked recent. When I got near the Walgreen's I heard a growl a deep one. The crest on the back of my head spread out. I felt a threat was near me. My body tense my ability to smell a scent of blood filled my nose. I heard deeper growling and turned I came face to face with a large pack of wolves. From what I could see these wolves were Timber wolves. They were big and it felt like many surrounded me. My instincts took over quickly. But i didn’t allow my brain to black out. I need to focus on protecting Lyra. The fluid that connects to my fire dripped down. I backed up to the doors of the Walgreen's more showing up from the shadows.

More than I could count I closed my eyes feeling this could be the end of my journey. I took a deep breath. Opening them staring at the wolves I stood on my back legs. Making myself look big. Some of the wolves ears flattened looking scared. I made myself look evil to them. I let off a scent of don’t mess with me. I let out a deafening roar of anger and don’t mess with me type. The roar lasted a few seconds some of the wolves ran away while the bigger ones stayed.

They couldn’t circle me like normally One charged at me. I quickly did what I could grabbed it with my clawed hands with a quick movement tossed it into the glass door of Walgreen's making it shatter with the wolf. I watched at the glass shattered inward it didn’t do much damage the poor creature. It got cut up of course it didn’t die but just lay there in pain. I felt awful then. Till I feel some pain in my chest.

Another charged clawing my chest I felt the claws go deep blood dripping down and causing grass and flowers to grow. My blood I could smell it I could feel it slide down me. I felt more claws on my hide. But my scales stopped them from going to deep. I reached down at the one that clawed me with my mouth. I bite down once but I didn’t enjoy feeling the taste of the wolf in my mouth. I tossed into the other door I felt maybe if I was going to use these wolves. I would use them as rams to get inside. The poor wolf broke into the other door shattering it. This one however got up running deeper into the store to get away from me.

Looking to the rest of the wolves they all started to run away from me. I took a few deep breaths of air into my lungs. Feeling the adrenaline leave my body causing pain to fill every inch of me. I didn’t like this feeling. I remembered I have a job to do I ran inside even though I had blood dripping. Causing a little grass to grow. I found some bandages ripping it open I wrapped the wound up. Finding a cart because I was going to need it. I grabbed some of the wood that is normally used in fireplaces and old stoves. Since some houses still have those.

Getting to the back of the pharmacy I grabbed all the meds I could placing them in the cart. I went through the soup ile finding soup a large bowl to cook it in. Grabbing a turkey baster so I could feed her. I thought a moment did I forget anything. Looking at the register I well picked the whole thing up along with me and just left with the cart and that. After awhile I got back to the hotel the dogs and Lyra looked alright. I made a fire ring putting the pot on it and started a fire with a match. Pouring all the soup into the bowl and let it cook.

It wasn't wise to start a fire in here. But I had to do something. It would take awhile before it was fully cooked also thankfully this was the cheapest room it had cement floors. I remember going to places like this with my family. Since my dad loved being cheap back then. Looking at the medicines Can she had cold medicines or anything a human can have? I wish I had the net so I can see. I tossed them away waiting for the soup to be ready. But maybe I should relax and allow her to heal but maybe she is dying. The soup was finally was done taking the turkey baster gently putting it into her mouth after the soup cooled a bit. Feeding her a bit. Then I smelled smoke I didn't realize this may have cement floors the walls weren't Grabbing Lyra quickly leaving behind everything I got even the medicines. The dogs coming along with me placing Lyra in the back of the car with them.

Getting into the driver's seat and getting back on Highway 90s "Keep her warm please." Quickly driving away from the burning hotel.

00000

It was two hours later I had found a visitor's center not far from the state line of Wisconsin. I let the dogs out of the back. Getting in the back to lay with Lyra. It was a bit snug but I wrapped my large dragon body around Lyra, laying my head on her chest, listening to her breathing. Her heart beat very slowly. I kept the door open so the heat from the outside could help me keep her warm. Sliding my claw through her mane, I just couldn't understand why she is so out of it. Sighing closing my eyes a bit listening to her breathing. " Please Lyra don't leave me yet." I softly said the dogs were outside going to the bathroom. Even though they went to the bathroom the wind was still crisp and clear. But slowly getting out of the car closing the door to keep the warmth inside.

Pacing around the Visitor's center, I didn't know what to do but I was losing my temper. Adrenaline filled me full of anger. I felt my instincts take over as well. Getting near one of the cars tears streaming down my face. I felt that she is dying I treated her so awful. Looking to the car whelp. Smashing my claws into the car smashing it and denting it roaring in anger get on the top of the car smashing the poor car with all my weight. Jumping like it was nothing on it. Digging my claws into the roof. Ripping my claws into the roof digging many holes in the roof with my sharp claws. Making the poor mustang into a comfortable well half. My anger didn't stop there I started ripping apart the seats with my teeth ripping out the radio tossing it out side of the window breaking what is left of it. OH yes I had lost it. I could barely keep my mind sane. Taking my teeth ripping into the seat allowing my new nature to just rip and tear.

Coughing a bit from all the stuffing in my mouth. The poor car had enough. But I haven't had enough, I just collapsed. I overdid it, feeling my body go limp. I felt so upset I couldn't move anymore. Adrenalin but I don't think it's wise for me to drive since.. Well I kind of made myself very angry. I felt the adrenaline slowly leave my body causing so much pain in every part of my body. Walking back to the car getting into the driver's seat but I forgot about the dogs. Opening the passenger's seat. " Toby.. Luna." I said softly the two dogs jumped in. I sat on my back feet grabbing with my front claws. Why haven't I been sitting like this before? Held tightly onto the wheel starting up the car. Driving along the road closing my eyes a bit feeling like I want to sleep turning off the car but not hitting the break just falling asleep letting car drift further down the road without it in park.

0000

An hour later I woke up from my sleep but when I looked around the car was fine so was the trailer. But I had been lucky and some how coasted down the road. But it stopped before it took me fully off road. Looking around my eyes a bit hazy. I had no idea what was going on. But I finally saw I was an hour from the next state. But I need to remember not to drain myself with getting pissed off. But when I tried to start the car up I couldn't. I tried again but I started to move the car. Trying to get to the next state. Looking back to Lyra who slept soundly. I thought I was finally over the state line. I looked at the GPS seeing I wasn’t even that close. I think this driving to long is giving a complex or my brain is playing tricks with me. I wanted to get to Michigan so badly that I made up another state in my mind from how it feels in my head. I needed a break. I turned the car off.

Getting out the car, I found some sticks and a few small logs. Poking a stick through some semi frozen meat. I had to think of fire again. Slowly the fire came out of my mouth. I started the logs to burn. With the newfound light of the fire. I looked at the car,It had dings all over dead bugs on it. Some splinters of wood inside parts of it thanks to the tornado. But it's still running and it surprised me. Leaned on the car relaxing I needed to rest. I can't just over do it expecting to get there. I heard the door open up maybe the dogs learned how to open the door. Oh that would be great. Than I saw the mare Lyra standing there. She had a look of unhappiness in her eyes.

"LYRA!!" I stood up, happy to see her, then I went back to normal. " Ahem. Good to see you." Lyra stared at me, sighing and forcing me down with her magic. Using her magic to take the stick of meat from me. To use it to hold the meat over the fire staring at me. didn't want to stay down but of course she made me with her magic. She looked at me with her eyes full of calm kindness.

" Malla, My magic burnt out. So I had magic burnout. I could hear what you were doing. How you acted. I could even smell the burning of the hotel room. Now you hurt yourself and you strained yourself. You need to rest. So I will be driving the rest of the way till we get to your grandparents home. No ifs and or buts Malla get some rest now." Sighing, I gave her a nod and she let up on the magic. " Next time, before losing your mind, you should try to wake me instead of thinking I am sick." She said with a smirk. " But thank you for caring." I laid my head back thinking a moment while closing my eyes. I opened them looking over to the meat grabbing it to eat it.

I took a deep bite of the meat. It tasted very well done and cooked through. I made sure to give some to the dogs. But Lyra reminded me that she wanted me to rest. Maybe it’s wise to do so. Grabbing another large chunk of meat from the now full water cooler. Since all the ice melted. " Good. Eat up. Empty this because you won't be driving again." A soft sigh came out of my mouth. I guess it's time to stop holding off eating. Grabbing the rest of the meat it was mostly bacon, burgers, and even some pork. Setting most of it on sticks to let it cook. I watched Lyra take the cooler and dump it. She placed it on the trailer tying it down. Now there is more room for the dogs.

"I'm sorry Lyra. I didn't mean to make a fool of myself." Lyra looked at me with her gentle eyes smiling. I blinked a moment not sure what to think but I kept eating what was left of the meat it didn't taste the greatest to me cooked. But it was better than nothing.

" Oh Malla come on. You just met me a month ago. You barely know my species. You didn't even know magic was real till you saw me. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. You have become something new. You need to stop saying sorry. You need to stop being silly. Just move on with your life now. Of course I should listen to my own speech since I am the same way." Sighing, I just listen to her go on. Maybe she is right. I should have known this when she spoke about magic at the start. But I'm too blind to fully understand.I ate the rest of the meat. I watched as Lyra took charge feeding the dogs and she would control the rest of the trip. After finishing the last of the meat, it tasted good, I noticed something. Lyra was reworking the entire trailer. I watched her redo all my work she looked at me. “Malla when we get to the new place.I have been thinking Malla. When we we met Chris and Colgate I had a private chat with her. She got on my case for telling you that I will be leaving. So she asked me to stay with you. I’m thinking I know who that will be in the long run.” She booped my nose I blinked what did she mean by this? “But when we get to Michigan I will leave to check for some leadership.”

Sighing, I grabbed her, holding her against me while we lay by the fire. "Lyra I know I didn't treat you very well when we met. Also you tease me a lot. But I consider you the only family I have right now. Knowing that you have to leave does make me feel sad. I know you need to find a leader and you will be back. But I don’t know if any other souls will return. " It was a calm night I held my friend. We just watched the fire.

" You know on my world Malla, this is thought to be first base. At least that’s what Bon Bon always told me.” She said with a laugh Blinking sighing.

" Great your race is so backwater then. To my kind or well my former kind this is just two friends cuddling in the warmth of a fire. But still It makes me happy to know I can be close to someone else. But I feel right now I need someone to just be a friend. I'm going to be alone for along time after you're gone. So let me just enjoy this. " The two of us kept looking into the fire Lyra fell asleep. While I just watched the fire. Waiting for the next day before the final stretch of the trip. Michigan here I am right back where I started from. Maybe It will be better this time for me. I'm unsure really but here I am hoping it will be right.

0000

June, second

I sat in the passenger's seat, Lyra did the driving. But we still couldn't see lake Michigan yet it was going to take time to get to the place we need to go to. We saw the city of Milwaukee Lyra was amazed at this from the look in her eyes. But I think she wanted to see lake Michigan more than a large city. But it was this city then two more states and then Michigan. It's not what I expected but Lyra was amazing driver after not allowing her to drive for a long time now. Looking over to her she turned her eyes to me with a gentle sweet smile.

"I'm sure whatever male that chooses you down the line will love your sense of humor and your blush as well." She said with a tease. That tease hit me hard like a plate. I could feel the heat filling me. Reaching behind for a drink of water, i drank it down calmly. " Aww the poor dragoness wanting to be pleased? " She said with a tease.

"Okaay... Lyra I understand that you enjoy teasing. But my body doesn't. I need to get used to it. I guess just in case I do meet a male dragon and I suddenly lose it in front of others I know." I sighed looking over to Lyra who had a smirk on her face.

“Alright Malla since I am going to be leaving to find leadership when we get to Michigan, I feel I am going to need to learn more of your world to make sure. Just in case when I find someone, I don’t look like a fool and make them attack me. Like you did.” I blinked. I didn’t remember attacking her. Oh yes I did when I got upset that one time. Also I didn’t trust her I do know though some of the new ones that return. Might use a weapon like sticks or something to attack her. But I did what she asked and explained my world. Well, parts of it.

" Well I did go into the abortion. But let's say they take the cells and use what is left in stem cell research. To help cure cancer and many other sickness. Now with some minds that is a good thing to some. But to others, it's not." I shifted a bit in the chair looking back at the dogs to see how they are.. " It's something that most don't care for. But lets see..Ah yes."

Shifting again on my back feet making sure my claws down ruin the seat. " Now there are many wars...well used to be many wars in this world. The wars got to the point that it was about religious freedom. It's hard to go into that. Because I never understood it myself. But the other thing that has been going on, Is terrorism. They have been trying to destroy the U.S.A, where we are now. So yes, it's not going to be easy to go into a lot of this. Because the info is hard to find now.. But we will be in Milwaukee soon. So we can get out and let the dogs wander a bit and eat something as well."

She gave a nod.

000000

We made it to the city of Milwaukee. I got out of the car and stretched my body feeling the cricks leave my body. It hurt so much after being in that car for so long. . " Hmm. Damn it." Grabbing a meat MRE, I opened it and basically ate it raw, bag and all. Lyra took a cloth she found at a gas station and cleaned the car. The two dogs were fed and given water.

" Malla. That water down there what is that called?" Looking over to Lake Michigan and sighs.

" That is Lake Michigan. I am going to say this once. Stay away from it. Don't even drink from it. Don't even allow the dogs to drink from it." Lyra blinked looking back to me then the water. Then back to me.

" Malla you seem to be one with nature. Maybe if you placed your claw in it...You could proudly cleanse it." Blinking a moment.

" Yeah...No I ain't going to try it. I know what's in that water. " Lyra gave a nod.

" Before we go on. Malla. What does that mean?" She pointed her hoof up to a sign that showed someone very sick from drugs. I sighed softly.

" It's show you what happens if you used drugs.... Wait do you hear that?" From a dumpster, a Puma jumped from the darkness of the shadows pouncing on Lyra. Quickly grabbed Toby forcing him inside the car closing the door. But I couldn't find Luna. Luna attacked the Puma that is trying to kill Lyra. She had deep gashes in her sides from the claws. When Luna hit the Puma off of Lyra the Puma growled deeply at Luna.

The two started to fight. Luna being a bit smaller than the Puma stood her ground. It gave me time to rush to Lyra stroking the sobbing mare. " I am here...I am..." Hearing Luna's cries and whines as well as barks. Turning to the fight The Puma held her down going for a bite in her neck. Looking down to Lyra seeing another Puma slowly inching towards. Her looking to Luna trying to break free before she gets bitten in the neck.

I didn't know what to do fear filled me. I heard a neck break from the Puma's mouth biting into the neck of Luna. The Puma stood up with blood dripping from it's jaws. They both wanted to go for Lyra.

" MALLA!!" She yelled. I looked to Luna whose body is now being dragged away by another Puma. Something inside me snapped. Feeling my anger build, so much anger build. I heard Lyra cry while more Pumas that found their way into the city. Standing on my back claws. Fluids dripping from my mouth and out of a cry of pain and anger. I roared deeply loud enough that it could be heard pretty far away. My eyes glazed over. All I could feel was pure anger and hunger.

One of the Pumas tried to jump me. I breathed fire at it and it screams in pain. I burned part of the body of the poor Puma. Another tried to jump Lyra. Smashing into that one hunger filled me. Looking back to the burned Puma. Rushing to trying to kill it. But all I feel was their claws trying to dig into my hide. But it slide right off me. Looking over to other Pumas starting to eat Luna.. They ate her like I wasn't here. Every single inch of blood all over the sidewalk. Looking back to the Puma that was attacking me.

Lifting my claw smacking it down. It tried to get up but I put my foot on it breaking its neck by pressing my weight on part of the neck with a crack. Moving my claw from that one. The other Puma trying to hurt Lyra backed away. I stood over Lyra who looked up to me with great fear. But she had blood draining from her wounds. Jumped into the air flapping my wings. Getting into the air. My brain is so glazed over I didn't even notice. Crashing hard right on the Puma pinning the poor thing down. Breathing fire on it. The flesh bubble burst open with the eyes turning into puss. Lifting up left the burning Puma dead on the ground. The other Pumas that were trying to eat Luna ran off at the sight of me.

Turning to look at Luna leaning down trying to move her with my nose. I did a dragon whine. Tears stream down my face. But I couldn't even remember who I was at this moment. Turning my head to Lyra. " Malla.." Walked over to her. Her eyes closed tightly worried that I would hurt her. But all did was purr licking the wounds from the blood. Laying beside her whining in sadness. My eyes were still fully glazed over. My mind my instincts still had full control over me. Deep in the back of my head I was sobbing crying to be free.

"Malla." She gently said. My eyes finally went back to normal. I started to sob softly. I knew what happen I knew it all. Looking back up to Luna's body. Back at Buffalo I have Photos of Luna. But I got Toby's and Rubies. " Malla. I'm sorry." Lyra said softly. Looking down to her with a weak smile. Standing up helping her back on her hooves. Going to Luna's body. I sighed

" I wasn't very kind to her when she was a pup Lyra. In fact I hated Luna with all my heart. She did so many things that angered me. Later down the line.. I started to love her. But it's like how I treated you." Taking a deep breath burning Luna's body. She doesn't deserve to be eaten. With every inch of the flesh catching on fire. It slowly burned. Looking back to the bodies of the two Pumas. " Turn your head away Lyra. Please."

"Why?" Walking over to the Puma that didn't get burned to a crisp. Ripping open the body with my claws. Lyra gulped looking away covering her mouth with her hoof. I felt this was deserving. I started to eat the vessels of the body. The muscles. The sound of flesh spilling down along the ground. Finally finished my well one would call it dinner. I burped loudly. Lyra looked up at me her cheeks greener then normal. " Um...Malla you have blood all over your mouth." Blinking licking all the blood from my mouth with my long tongue " Malla...I am sorry." I hushed her

" Come with me.." Opening the door hugging Toby tightly but I grabbed the med kit along with a bottle of water closing the door. " Lay down Lyra I am going to clean your wounds." Lyra lay down winching at the pain in her sides. Taking a bottle of water from the car. Slowly dumping the water along the deep wounds. Cleaning out whatever would be left behind. I opened the first aid kit finding a fluid that I could use to place inside the wounds. I took a cloth pouring some of the fluid that was a bit like gel. Slowly I rubbed it into the wounds. She screamed in pain with my other claw I covered her mouth to stop her from screaming.

" There could be more Lyra. So relax." Grabbing a bandage wrapping it around her body letting the fluid or ointment. Licking Lyra's face she blushed gently.

" Oh Malla I didn't know you wanted me like that." She winked teasing me again. My cheeks turned bright red.

" Lyra I was...." Sighing standing up putting the kit back into the car. " Lets go please Lyra can you still drive?" Lyra nodded. I got into the passenger's seat. Calmly we drove off leaving the sight behind us. Luna is now dead. Three dogs I started this trip with. Ruby vanished back in Buffalo. Luna died here, Toby is with us. I wish to go on with the trip remembering her. As we ride to what is left of this city to the toll booths.

While we drove Lyra played her Lyre to let me rest and forget what happened today. She did so much for me towards the end of the journey. I owe her so much.

Note from Lyra: Hello I wish to interject in the journal here. I read back on this and I still feel bad for what happen. I wish I could have done more for Malla to keep Luna alive. But Luna saved the two of us. Anyway she will be unhappy if she learns I am here writing more in the journal. So I must be going.