Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 09:19:40 -0700 (PDT) From: K Davids Subject: Some sense of security/Standing on the edge of forever ch. 4 Standing on the Edge of Forever-CH.4 This story is pure fiction and is not intended to imply anything About the true sexuality of the reader. This story contains sexual Contact between to underage males if this is illegal to read where You live then please hit the back button now!! Everything in this Story is made up, the names and people are fake: they are not real; I did not base them off people I know! Please do not copy or paste this anywhere else, but please feel free to email me k.davids@ymail.com -------------------------------------------------------------- This is chapter four I hope you enjoy it, I love the emails from everyone they were very helpful I love to hear from you all ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The walls start breathing My mind's unweaving Maybe it's best you leave me alone. A weight is lifted On this evening I give the final blow. When darkness turns to light It ends tonight, It ends tonight ~It ends tonight~ All American Rejects -------------------------------------------------- Characters Chasen: Age 18 - Main Character Braiden: Age 18 - Chasen's boyfriend Ian: 2 1/2 - Braiden's son Kevin: Chasen's Father Caroline: Chasen's Step Mother Ryan: Age 18 - Chasen's Brother Kyle: Age 16 - Chasen's Brother Lexie: Age 15 - Chasen's Sister Aaron: Age 16 - Step Brother Jesse Holt- Age 17-Friend ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (Braiden's POV.) *BUZZ* *BUZZ* I groan thinking to myself what the hell, who is calling me this early on a Friday? Since I am a senior, and I worked with my guidance counselor, I don't have to attend school on Fridays. I reach to my bedside table and pick up my cell phone. "Hello?" "Yes is this Braiden Walker?" A voice asks on the other end. I sit up in my bed, "Yes, I am him. Who is this?" "I am Liam Jefferson, from Jefferson and Son Lawyers. I am calling on the account of Jason Seaborne." He says. I scrunch up my face, "I don't know anyone by that name?" I tell him. "My apologies you would have known him as Jay. He passed away late last night, I am sorry did you not know?" He says on the other end of the line. I sit there feeling the shock and numbness wash over my body, "No I had no clue..." "I am very sorry sir. He died in his sleep, I need you to come down here, there is a letter addressed to you and the reading of the will. Can I expect you in an hour?" He asks. I finally find my voice. "Yes sir..." I say hanging up. I just look at my phone as I ended the call, I don't even know what to think. I don't even know where to begin I was just talking to him. The other day about how things where going, I felt a wet drop hit my hand and I realized I was crying. My head was spinning, I get out of bed and grab a pair of shorts, and walk over to Ian's crib, and he is still fast asleep which is good. I pick up my phone again, I want to call Chasen, but he is in school... I hit the number and I hear it ringing, and I hear a female voice, answer. "Hello?" "Mrs. Tarrant this is Braiden." I say. "Hey sweetie how are you?" she asks cheerful. "I'm not sure honestly." I tell her. "Is Mr. Tarrant around? Could I possibly speak with him if he isn't too busy?" I ask. "Yes sweetie let me go get him." She says putting the phone down. I didn't take long, I heard a few mumbled voices through the background, and I heard someone pick up the phone. "Hello." "Mr. Tarrant?" I ask. "Yes, Braiden is everything ok?" He asks with a hint of concern in his voice. I hesitate before I ask, "Well Mr. Tarrant, not really...My boss died last night. I just got a call from his lawyers, and well they want me to come down there for me to hear the will...I wanted to see if maybe you would go with me?" "Son..." He hesitates, "That's not my area in being a lawyer..." I don't answer right away, "Yes sir...I understand, its just well I'd like to have someone who knew what was being said with me and the support." "I will be ready in ten minutes." He says hanging up the phone. I am glad my mother took Ian out today...I don't know how I could of handled both right now, I am still in shock about Jay...it just doesn't seem like any of this is real. I head over to my closet and pick out a pair of khaki shorts and a white polo shirt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sitting next to Mr. Tarrant across from this older thin man, which looked like he was very fragile. "Mr. Walker. I am glad you could make it on such short notice. As I told you on the phone Jason Seaborne has passed on, I offer my condolences, he was also a very, very dear friend to me. I have known him for well over ten years. It was only recently that he changed his living will. In fact it was when he first got back into town. He also left this letter addressed to you, he wished for you to read it before anything else." The older man explained to me. Dear Braiden, If you are reading this letter, well that mean I have passed on. I am writing the as I am on my book tour. Son I have seen so many things in my life from being a pro-surfer to being an ex-husband and I was not a very good one at that nor was my ex-wife a good wife. But that is not why I am writing this. I remember you coming in the first day, you looked so discouraged to talk to me, and I had no intentions of hiring you, but when you told me "I need this I have a son, and I cannot fail." I knew what kind of character you had in you. You are like a son I was never blessed with. I remember to teach you how to surf. Boy wasn't that a tough time, you wanted to give up, but you wouldn't. I have seen you become a young man, and raise a spectacular little boy. Now you have a wonderful boyfriend who you love, and it shows every time you mention his name that spark in your eyes, as we have talked about before I never bore children, was never able too. My ex-wife had her own kids, but they never loved me nor did she, she walked down the isle for the money. Well I am not very sad to say she was mistaken she does not deserve the money, or anything that I have built for my life. Which brings me to you; I put you as a manager of the store when I left. Not because I needed someone to run the store I already knew you could do that, but I knew this day would come soon, and I wanted you to know how to handle the store, well stores now. Son I am leaving the stores over to you to own and operate. You are the new owner of the surf shops. Even the new ones that I have opened. I hope you keep them going and love them as much as I believe you do. I also leave you with all the money I have ever possessed in my life, but there are conditions, you will automatically get five thousand dollars today, this is to be used wisely, buy your son new clothes toys, food, and yourself. The five hundred thousand dollars you will get when you enroll into college, yes I do know you are a smart and very bright young man. I have took it upon myself to start Ian a savings account, I have put ten thousand dollars in it, it should over the years gain a good amount of interest and he will be able to access it when he turns eighteen and graduates. I have left Liam two thousand dollars in cash I wont come right out and say what you need to do with it, but son, I know from experience when you have a certain someone and they are your breath and will, you want to keep them, and treat them right. I have also given a big chunk of my money to charity. The last thing on my list is the beach condo here in town. Before you think oh no he died there I assure I did not, I have my own home that I have put up for sale, and the money goes to charity as well. I know you will be okay. I trust you. Love, Jay. I had tears in my eyes I read over the letter a few times, and I went to hand it back to Mr. Liam. "No son, that is yours." He tells me. "What do I do now?" I ask not entirely sure if this was a dream of real life. I see him shuffling papers, and push them across the table to me, "Just sign these where it is highlighted and you shall be on your way." I shoot a look at Mr. Tarrant and he nods his head. I sign the papers and push them back over to Liam. He in returns hands me an envelope. I know this is the cash that Jay said he left. "Again I am sorry to have brought bad news, but I knew Jason as I said a long time and I trust in what he has done, he was never one to make a rash decision. I do hope to see you one day on better circumstances." He says getting up. We all shook hands and Mr. Tarrant and I left the office, "Do you think everything was ok in those papers?" I ask. Mr. Tarrant gives me a small smile, "I know Liam well. He is a good person that's how I knew everything was legit; if it was anyone else I would have examined it down to the last period." I just nod, I trusted Mr. Tarrant with my life, and "I just can't believe that he is gone" I mutter out. Mr. Tarrant stopped and put a hand on my shoulder, "Son, he had a great life. That man was well respected and had a great heart I mean all the things he has left to you. He had good judgment. I figure he knew his time was coming to an end. If he didn't he wouldn't not have left that note. I am positive he is in a better place." He then reaches and pulls me in to a hug. I wiped my eyes to try and fight the on-coming tears..."Thanks." I say slowly... (Ryan's POV) I walk up to Braiden and one of his friends who I really don't even know his name, "Dude just include me in the conversation so if that crazy girl comes looking for me I can ignore her." I say real fast, grateful that it is lunch Braiden just looks at me if I have lost my mind, "Who?" "Tyra, man she thinks cause I smiles at her and nodded my head that I want to get with her." I tell him. "Dude I heard she has had mono like twice within 4 months." Jesse cuts in. I look at him crazily, "Why do you think I don't want to be in a two foot range of her!" This cause both of them to laugh at me, "Well bro, this is what you get Mr. Ladies man." Braiden shoots at me. "Where is baby daddy?" I ask trying to change the subject. This cause Braiden to give me a go to hell look, "He isn't required to come to school on Fridays." "Cause he has a kid?" I ask really wanting to know. "NO! Cause he is in the job-core program. Now stop being a dick Ryan." He says shaking his head at me. I throw my hands up in mock surrender, "Ok, Ok. I'm sorry." Braiden just rolls his eyes, "So, why aren't you trying to be with Tyra?" "I like someone who I am thinking of going steady with." I say shyly. Braiden grabs his chest, and puts his free hand on Jesse to act like he is going to fall over, "Who is she?" "None of your business!" I say sharply. I motion for us to sit at a table, "So I haven't seen Aaron's friend I don't think he is in school." "Did you ever find out anything the other day?" Braiden asks. "Nothing he avoided me like I was the plague man." I tell him. "He worries me I don't want his drama around Aaron or anyone in the family to tell you the truth." I say not really talking to anyone in particular. "Ryan! Dude he might not be having a easy life like you or I have now!" Braiden says scolding me. "Well I gotta go, I have to meet with somebody." I say getting up from the table. Braiden smiles, "Is this the mysterious girl?" I just smile and walk away. I told her I would meet her by the gym, we could go behind it and it's normally secluded so it could just be us. As I round the corner I see her, leaning against the building, wearing her tight blue jeans and pink tank top, twirling her long blond curly hair. She sees me and smiles. She has perfect white teeth that make me smile even wider. Nikki is from London, her family moved here just last week and well I kind of fell in love with her accent from the first day I met her. Which I made a corny pick up line saying with that accent she could call me any night, and it actually worked! "Hi." She says smiling. I walk up to her and stand in front of her, and she pulls me closer to her, "Hi beautiful." She still has a hold on my shirt pulling me closer to her, "It's not nice to keep a lady waiting." I give a small laugh, "But it keeps everything interesting. That and I had brotherly business to deal with, plus running away from a crazy girl. I am a busy guy." This causes her to laugh at me, "Oh shut up and just kiss me." I oblige and lean in and kiss her and she kisses me back, "So would you like to go on a date with me tonight?" I ask. "I don't know...I am a busy girl." She says smiling. I smile back, "Pick you up at eight." She rolls her eyes, "Cocky aren't we?" "Nah not at all its called confidence." I mutter and kiss her again. "Do you know where I live?" she asks. "Yeah it's a small town. I have connections as well." I tell her in between kisses. (Kyle's POV) I didn't like being surrounded by people a lot, but now all of a sudden we had out little group sitting with me at lunch, that consisted of Silas, Aaron and Ricki. I couldn't stomach the food I just picked at it, not really eating anything. I wasn't hungry at all. I was getting sicker, and weaker. It's different that what it used to be its like it progressed. I was just staring at my food zoning out and not paying attention to the conversation around me. "HEY! Are you going to eat or what?" Ricki shouted to get my attention. I snap my head up to her and look into her brown eyes, and she seemed to be concentrating on me, "Sorry not very hungry right now." I feel Aaron's eyes turn on to me and I just shake my head he leans over to me, "You ok?" "I'm fine!" I snap. "Sorry..." I mutter right after I snapped. "So... anyone have anything going on this weekend?" Silas asks trying to relieve the tension. Ricki speaks up, "Well my family is having this party tonight and I was going to ask if any of you would like to come, I mean there are going to be other people are age, but I'd like to have people I know there." She lets her gaze linger on me. "Well yeah! Come on Aaron you have to come!" Silas says, looking at Aaron. Aaron blushes, "Yeah sounds like a plan." "So does that mean you will come?" Ricki asks me with a pleading in her eyes. I nod my head, "Sure I'll be there." I say trying to fight a wave of nausea. I jumped up from my seat, "I'll be right back...I need to use the restroom." I run past people who are looking at me weird, I barely made it into the stall of the bathroom; before I started to puke...I felt my stomach tighten. I forced my arms to keep me up right. "Kyle? You ok?" I hear Aaron ask behind the door. "Go away please." I choke out from my raw throat. I hear him push open the door, "You are sick again aren't you?" I just nod, and try to push myself up off the floor, but I was too shakey. Aaron helped me get up and I lean against the wall, "Yeah, I'm sick...but you all knew that." "We needed conformation." He says putting a hand on my shoulder. "Please just keep it between us right now." I say. He gets a sad look on his face, "But Kyle, what if it gets worse?" "Then we will deal with it ok, please Aaron...for once I am having a normal life! I have friends, I am in school! I even like someone!" I plead with him. He grits his teeth, "Ok but if this gets worse we have to tell the parents." We both walk back to the table and Ricki and Silas look up at us, "You ok Ricki asks." "Yeah just upset stomach, because of some bad food this morning...Chasen isn't the best cook!" I say lying to the fact I didn't even eat breakfast. I look over and see Lexie coming over to the table, "Hey." I offer her. She leans in and hugs me, "Hey bubba. Aaron I haven't seen your friend today." She says. "Yeah me either. I don't know where he is, he might have just skipped." He says coolly. I notice Silas take a lot of interest in this conversation. But Aaron doesn't really pick up on the fact that he does. I know that Silas likes Aaron. I can tell cause he pays every bit of attention when Aaron talks. I am glad when the bell rings, that only means a few more classes until the day is over, and I can enjoy the weekend...minus the homework we have. "So you are for sure coming?" Ricki asks again before I leave. I smile back at her, "Yes I plan to be there." "Good, give me your phone so I can put my number in it, and text me so I can give you directions." She says holding out her hand. I give her my phone and watch her type it in and hand it back blushing slightly, "So text me!" she says walking off. (Chasen's POV) Walking back to lunch people are gathered around in the hall so I stop to see what is going on, I see cops and a student up against the locker, I push my way to see who it was. It was Jon... They had him against the locker putting handcuffs on him, his locker was open. I saw them pulling out a bag of white stuff, and a gun... I felt a chill run down my spine, what the fuck was he doing with a gun at school? Just then the principal started to shout at us, "Get to class now!" The crowd dispersed quickly and I just shook my head as I passed him he turned his head at me and smiled, I looked away. I was able to leave early on Fridays, along with Jesse. Since we had jobs, but we opted out of not missing the whole school day like Bray. I liked to be in school with friends. I know its weird but I enjoy it. "Dude did you see what happened!" Jesse shouts as he runs up to me. I jump, "Dude what the hell man you scared the fuck out of me!" He laughs, "My bad man, but did you see that shit!" I nod my head, "Shit is crazy man... He smirked at me as I was walking by." "He is crazy as fuck. So what are you going to do? Meet up with Bray?" Jesse asks. "Nah, not yet he is probably working. What about you?" I ask him. "Not to sure, I think I am going to go by my folks store, and see what they are doing." He says. I nod, "Ok, bro just text me later see what's goin on." I tell him. I get to my car and lean on it taking out my phone to text Braiden. Me- Hey baby, how's work? Bray- Shop closed today. U out of school? Me-Yeah is everything ok? Bray- Just some things have come up, u busy 2nite? Me- Only w/the best boyfriend in the world. Bray-Good, pick u up @6 wear beach clothes k. Me-Ok, oh I forgot, Jon was arrested. Bray- Good what he do? Me-had drugs at school, and a gun. Bray- He is stupid hey gotta go. Me- k, Love you. Bray- Love you too. I put my phone back into my pocket, I don't like the fact Braiden was so short...drives me absolutely crazy he deals with things on his own instead of telling me straight on. I open my car door when I hear someone yell to me to wait. I look up and see Kyle coming towards me, "Wait please..." "Kyle what are you doing?" I ask not understanding why he isn't in class. He waits to tell me until he gets within ear range, "I need a favor." I look at him suspiciously, "First why are you out of class, and what do you need?" "Well...I wanted to ask you cause...well you wouldn't make fun of me like Ryan would, that and your out of school...I am going to this party kind of thing, well the girl who asked me I like her, a lot." He says nervously. I smile at him, "You need something to wear huh?" "Yes. Please Chasen?" he asks growing red in the cheeks. I just laugh, "Get in. We will get you some clothes, but you can't tell the parents! It doesn't take us long to get to the local mall, I take him to American eagle. I figure I want my little brother to look nice tonight, especially since he has a crush, that and Kyle doesn't really ask for anything. I pick out a pair of jeans that are faded and acid washed, with a few rips in them, "try these on." I tell him. He takes them and goes to the changing room, I look around for a collard shirt for him, I am guessing his size is small..."Chasen..." I hear his low voice. "What you need bro?" I ask going into the dressing room area. "I need a size smaller..." He says. I scrunch my face up, "Uhh.. Okay hand me those." I tell him. I come back in a few minuets later with a different pair of pants ones, that rest on your hips; I had to find something that would work with his thin frame. I wait until he is done, and ask him to come out. "Why do they not come up?" He asks feeling embarrassed. "They are supposed to rest right here." I say pulling his pants to his hips. "Now I found you a shirt, I assume you still have some good shoes?" I ask. He nods his head and heads back to change. I wait for him to come out, I hear a thump and I walk back to where he is, and I open his door. He is on the floor with the pants around his ankles, "You okay?" I ask concerned I rush over to him. He looks like he is about to cry, "Just dizzy." He takes my hand; I help him up to the seat and take the pants off. I push his brown hair from his forehead, "Are you really ok?" "Can we just go?" He pleads with tears in his eyes. I nod, "Yeah just get your shorts on, I'm going to pay for these." I walk to the cashier and she starts to flirt with me, and I just smile back at her, and I feel Kyle come next to me his face is paler than normal. We head to the car, and as we get in a turn the air on full blast, and start to drive, Kyle is silent and is looking at his hands. "How long?" I ask. He just looks at me, his eyes threatening to spill with tears. "How long have you been getting sick again?" I ask one more time. "For awhile, the medicine...stopped working, or I got used to it..." He mumbles. I grip the steering wheel tighter, "Is it worse than before?" He shakes his head and I look over and he is crying, "I haven't eaten in a few days. I can't it comes back up, I ache, it gets hard to breathe at times." I put a hand on his shoulder, "We need to talk to dad and your mom." He grabs my hand, "Please just let me have tonight ok? I promise I will tell them, but I want you with me." "Ok but you have to let me know if something happens before then ok?" He nods, and I keep driving, I killed time just we wouldn't be home before school was supposed to be out, I was scared for Kyle. (Lexie's POV) I sat annoyed on the couch, how in the hell is it a Friday night and my two best friends were grounded! That is what they get when they decided to go smoke pot...girls are stupid! I flip through more channels, nothing on...the new...more news...oh and look at that more news. I see my mother coming into the living room in her robe, "Hey baby, do you want any thing to drink?" she asks. "No thanks mom." I tell her not taking my eyes off the TV. She sighs and comes over and hugs me, "I know it sucks for you to stay home on a Friday night, but there will be other chances to go out and have fun." I hug her back I know she means well but it isn't really reassuring me at this point, I should have something to do I mean even Kyle and Aaron are out! Braiden is gone to the beach with his boyfriend, who I still find very hot! Even though I know he is gay! A girl can wish. Mom sat beside me, and we started watching an old re-run of Jersey Shore. I don't really like it at all, I think it is stupid, but it was entertaining me for the moment. *Knock, Knock* I look over at my mom who gets up to go to the door and answer it. I hear her gasp as she opens the door. I jump up off the couch and head to the door. At the door I see Jake, he looks horrible, he has a busted lip and a black eye, and he has blood coming out of his nose. His right arm is in a cast, there is a trickle of blood on his shirt. "I'm sorry I... didn't know where to go." He says before he slumps on the floor and starts to cry. I stand there not knowing what to do, my mom yells at me to go get a towel and some ice, and to get my father from his den. I run and get my dad, and run to the closet and get the towel and a bag of ice. When I get back to the room, my mom has got Jake to come into the living room and she is on the floor holding him, as he cries uncontrollably. My dad takes the towel from my hand and goes over to him, and starts to clean his face from the caked blood on him. My dad hands me his backpack, "Put this over there." He says pointing to the wall. After about forty-five minuets we get Jake into the dinning room in a chair and he has calmed down a little bit, but he is still trying to catch his breath. "Son I need to know what happened to you. My dad asks. He looked up at my dad, tears still silently coming down from his eyes, "He...my dad shoved me down the stairs today, and I broke my arm, so he was already upset that he had to take me to the hospital to get the cast...I thought it was over I stayed out of his sight, and that's when they called the cops. They told us my other brother was arrested for drugs and carrying a gun, he lost it...started to hit things and I was there he came at me throwing me into the wall over and over, he busted my nose and lip... After I fell he kept kicking me until I started to spit blood. That's when he told me I had five minuets to grab what I could and get the hell out of his house or he would kill me, because I would become just like my brother...I'm so sorry I just didn't know where to go, and me and Aaron are friends...I will leave." He finishes and starts to cry. My dad looks over him for a second, "Jake take your shirt off, I am going to go get you a better shirt and some shorts, You are going to stay with us for a few nights, I am going to see what strings I can pull and get you to a safe and secure home." I watch my dad as he helps Jake, take his shirt off and that's when what I thought was bad went to worse, his body which should have been smooth and tan, was purple and blue. I watched as goose bumps rose over his body. "Your brother was Jon?" I ask once my dad left. I guess he forgot I was there, I scared him when I spoke, "Yeah he is my older brother, but I am nothing like him." He says his voice faltering. I could see his bright green eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying, I had this urge to kiss him, I know it would be the wrong time, but I went to him and gave him a hug. "It's going to be ok." After I hugged him, he looked up at me, "Do you think so? I don't want to go into foster care...but I know I can't stay here just everything I know is here." "My dad, will make sure you stay in town, he is a powerful man, and has a lot of great connections." I say smiling at him. (Braiden's POV) I picked Chasen up, and we headed to the beach it was dark, and this is how I wanted it to be. My boyfriend looks over at me and holds my hand as I am driving us to the beach. I park at the surf shop, and I run to the other side of the door and open it for Chasen, he gets out smiling at me, "What are you doing?" I lean in and kiss him, "What? I can't be a gentleman for my boyfriend?" He laughs and kisses me back; I take his hand leading him onto the beach. I stop after about a hundred yards from the parking lot, and I stop and kiss him again. "Do you know this spot?" I ask. He smiles, "Yeah I do, I was only here for a few days, and I was sitting here watching you surf for the third time and that's when you came and talked to me. This is where we first met." I smile, "Yeah it's the spot, I met my first and I hope last boyfriend ever. I love you so much." "I love you too." He says kissing me. "Jay passed away today." I tell him looking out into the ocean. "Your boss? Baby I am so sorry." He is hugging me. I smile, "It's ok I know he was ready to go, he left me a lot, I will explain a little later. But he told me that if I had something so great to never let it go." That's when I drop to one knee and take his hand, "Chasen Tarrant, this is the very spot I met you and I knew I had to be with you. You make me so happy, even when we argue, and when you are unsure of things, or when I'm stressed we are there for each other, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" I say pulling out the ring I bought today. His face is in shock, `Ye...YES!" He says pulling me up and kisses me hard. I slip the ring on his finger, it's a grey tungsten ring with a small diamond in the middle I picked it out knowing it was not feminine, and it was made just for guys, and it wasn't able to be scratched. He looks at it with a huge smile and kisses me again, and he pulls me down to the sand, "I love you so much." He says in between kisses. "Good, because when we are ready we are going to fly out to New York and make it official!" I say kissing him again. I feel myself start to get hard, and I press my body into Chasen, who responds by pressing his back into mine, and I let out a moan. We are interrupted by my cell phone ringing, I put it on the sand, but Chasen tells me I need too answer it incase its about Ian. "Hello?" I answer. "Braiden, It's Kevin Tarrant. I need you to bring Chasen to the hospital, its Kyle he fell and broke four ribs, he is in the ER they are afraid it might have punctured a lung!" He says in a frantic voice. "We are on our way!" I tell him. "I need you to just drop him off, I have Jake, Aaron's friend at the house, I called your father he said to take him to your house, for him to stay there with them. I have explained and they will tell you when you drop him there then come to the hospital." He says hanging up. Chasen looks up with me with a worried look, and I just say "We have to go now, it's Kyle." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey guys, I really hope you enjoyed the chapter! It was a chapter that I just had to do, this sets in motion and the ride for the rest of the series! So what did you think about Finding out Jake and Jon are related? What about Lexie feeling that attraction to Jake. What do you think is going to Happen to Kyle, and what about what you all just read Braiden Purposing to Chasen?" Comments are welcomed! Thanks for all the support! KD