Zeke and I became closer than before after the drama and the kiss. He eventually did ask me to be his girlfriend, and I accepted - unsurprisingly.

~~~

I was in his apartment, sitting at the island counter while he cooked for us - something about insisting I got something to eat tonight because he hadn't seen me eat an actual meal in days. Which wasn't strictly true, but I wasn't about to argue with him. It was free food, made by Zeke, who actually made edible food just so he could assure himself that I had eaten. Not to mention, it was touching that he was so concerned even though I told him repeatedly that my digestive system worked differently and I could go days without eating and not have any major tolls on my health.

"I don't care if you can go a year without eating and have it not affect your health whatsoever," he told me as he bustled around his kitchen after I reminded him of my different digestive system for the umpteenth time. "You can eat, and so you will, so help me I will force feed you if you refuse."

"Alright, mother," I drawled. I tapped my fingers on his granite counter top, watching as he created some sort of stew or whatever. I hadn't really paid attention when he told me what it was. But, seeing as how all food was the same to me, it didn't matter in any case.

He 'tch'ed me. "I should hope you had better eating habits when your mother was alive."

I shrugged. "Oh, I did. Considering that our last meal together was when I was five years old, I never really had any bouts with her about eating because I never hit that stage of 'oh, I can eat whatever whenever because it won't affect me'. She cooked, Dad and I ate. No complaints."

Zeke glanced at me. "Sounds like a good household."

"It was good enough." I shrugged. "Mom and Dad were human, and so they fought at times, but they loved each other. And me. I was their only child - a miracle, I suppose, even after all of their attempts at having others. They doted on me as much as possible - we were never exactly rich. I paid them back by being a good daughter - the least I could do, really."

He hesitated. "What happened to them? If you don't mind my asking?"

Zeke saw the pain as it flashed in my eyes, and I saw the regret spark in his. I swallowed, looking down at the counter. "They were murdered. Brutally.  Accused of a crime they didn't commit, had to go into hiding with me. I was five, didn't understand what a 'small getaway in a far away place' really meant." I picked at my nail, swallowing another lump in my throat.

"You don't have to..."

I shook my head.  I wanted to tell him. He of all people deserved to know. "We were, uh, betrayed. Our family friend sold us out. Loved me like her own - wanted me for herself and so she took the chance when she saw it. So she set them up and then the... men. They came. And..." I felt myself choke up as the memories came flooding back. Zeke reached for my hand from across the counter. I let him take it, staring at the counter as I calculated my next words. "We had been working on a puzzle - my parents and I. It was late, and I was supposed to be asleep, but none of us cared. We were joking and laughing, and my father had promised me a treat the next day if I could fit in the last ten pieces without help. I was trying so hard to get them, because I was five, and a treat from Dad was worth a million dollars to me. I was just about to lay down the final piece when the knock came. I was excited, because, hey, maybe it was Meggy and she wanted to play with us. Dad checked the door. He looked through the peep hole, and he turned to my mother. That was the only time I would ever see my dad look so scared.

"My mother scooped me up and hid me in the bathroom. Told me to be a good girl and not to make any noise. So of course I obliged. I was scared, but I wanted my treat. If I was a good girl, I would get my treat." I let out a shuddery sigh. "They killed them. I watched from a crack in the door as these men... They held down my parents. And then 'Meggy' strolled through the door as if she owned the place. She leered at them. They wept and begged, and then... She gathered up a ball of energy in her hands that I didn't know she possessed, and she killed my mother. My father screamed in utter agony before she killed him too." I shrugged, using my free hand to wipe a tear from my eye. "She found me cowering in the bathroom. She took me out and then they set fire to my home - parents and all."

"Meggy. ... Meghan? As in Meghan Greyson - the psycho you compared those twins to when we first started working together?"

"The one and only." I sighed. "She adopted me for three years before dying. And then I was on my own."

"God," he whispered. "Blythe..."

I shrugged. "It was decades ago. I learned to accept it. That's what you've gotta do, you know? It was hard, but, when you live practically forever it gets easier. S'pose it helps that I hardly remember them. Less memories. And she got what she deserved."

He frowned. "I'm sorry for asking... I know how hard it is to tell someone."

I shrugged again. "You were bound to find out some day. Might as well be on my own terms, sitting in your kitchen while you cook for me, than in some situation when some villain tries to use it against me."

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I suppose." He seemed to debate something with himself. "My... well, you know my mother died giving birth to me." He straightened up, releasing my hand to stir the contents of the pot on the stove.

"Yeah."

He sighed. "My father wasn't the same after she died. Y'know. He treated me fine, but he could hardly look at me without seeing her. We never really... bonded. He was an agent, by the way. Buried himself in his work to hide his grief. The usual sob story." He wouldn't look at me. He kept his back to me, but he wasn't cooking. "One day, he... had too much to drink. I had just gotten home from a friend's, and I found him on the floor in the kitchen. Bleeding. He had fallen and hit his head on the corner of the counter and fell to the floor. It was worse than we thought. He'd been bleeding out for a few hours before I arrived. By the time an ambulance arrived... he was already gone." His voice dropped to a low whisper.

I knew instinctively that he blamed himself for his father's death, and maybe his mother's as well. I couldn't blame myself for mine because there was no way in hell I could have predicted that Meghan was a psychopath plotting my parents' deaths so that she could have me to herself. But I understood where he was coming from.

"It wasn't your fault."

He glanced at me. "I could have-"

"You could have been there. You could have ignored your friends and been home bored as hell and probably suffering because your father decided to get wasted. You could have gotten there sooner. Could have gotten there while he was in a state and ended up getting hurt yourself. Hell! You could have just not been born and both your parents would be alive, disappointed that they didn't have a child before they passed on. Oh yeah. And while we're at it, we can blame your father's lack of decency on you too, because it's totally your fault that he decided to blubber about like an idiot when he should have stepped up and seen to it that you weren't left parentless. That's all your fault, Zeke. You should be fucking ashamed of yourself."

Zeke blinked at me, lips parted slightly in shock of what I just said.

"It wasn't your fault. Neither your mother's death, or your father's. They both happened, and if either hadn't, you probably wouldn't be here right now, with me, cooking a dinner for me because you're so damn concerned I'm starving myself no matter how many times I assure you that I'm eating fine. I'm not saying you have to be thankful for being an orphan. You don't have to like it - hell, I don't like it and they aren't even my parents. But you do have to live with it. And living with the weight of their deaths on your shoulders isn't fun. Especially if it doesn't belong there. Don't dwell on the 'what if's, Zeke. The answers aren't usually pretty."

Silence reigned. Zeke stared at me blankly, probably surprised by my outburst. Not surprising - I hardly showed bias to subjects, and I hardly interrupted self-doubting thoughts to set them in place.

But since I had often found myself on this path of doubt, I grew an immense hate for any sort of feeling for which unwarranted blame was being place.

Zeke suddenly moved from his place opposite me and around the counter. I twisted in my stool and he stood in front of me, practically pinning me to the counter without even touching me.

He secured my chin between his fingers and snaked his hand around my waist. Instinctively, my hands wrapped around his neck as he dipped his head down and placed his lips on mine.

When we broke apart, we were both breathless.

"What was that for?" I asked, studying his face.

He shrugged, smiling. "Just felt like it. Has anyone told you you're the most amazing woman ever?"

"Usually they tell me the opposite." That time it was my turn to shrug and smile. "But they might be a bit biased."

He chuckled. "I might be too. But, y'know."

I smiled up at him. "Maybe a little."

He gave me another kiss, this one more chaste than the last, and pulled away. I let my hands drop into my lap. "That little speech sounded a little rehearsed. The last part, anyway."

"Yeah, that may or may not have been my mantra for years after a few deaths had happened awhile back." I shrugged. "I mean, with different instances, but you know what I mean."

He nodded.

I paused for a moment. "We're just a mess, aren't we?"

He laughed. "God, we really are. But I suppose that's what makes us human." He peered at me a moment. "Well - you know what I mean."

I snorted. "Yeah, I know what you mean, Zeke."

He smiled at me, a soft smile that made my stomach do ridiculous backflips every time I saw it. The one where his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, and this look of complete admiration just encompassed his entire expression, which made the girl in me squeal a bit inside while the rest of me rolled my eyes.

I smiled back.

~~~

Months passed before another attack happened.

This time, I was in the company of James and Zeke.

We were at my house, sitting in the living room. Well, James and I were sitting. Zeke was laying on the sofa, his head in my lap.

I absentmindedly ran my fingers through his hair as James explained his predicament to us concerning a few new villains that had managed to strike fear into the hearts of people around the world.

"Nathan usually tells me about these things," I said with a small frown. "If not him then one of my other contacts." He'd been really slacking on that end for awhile, and I was slightly concerned.

"I have no idea who that is," James said. "But I'm not surprised. Many people have been manipulated to silence."

My frowned deepened. "That's not reassuring. Nathan tells me everything. Especially when it comes to matters like villains who are threatening the world peace."

"Peace is a strong word," James remarked.

"That's besides the point." I huffed. "I wasn't aware of this until now. Which concerns me. Increasingly so as the situation becomes more dire. Why the hell wasn't I let in on this sooner?"

James had the gall to look guilty.

I looked down at Zeke, who was doing a damned good job of pretending to sleep. "Zeke?"

He winced subconsciously at my tone, and then sighed, opening his eyes to look at me. "Yeah, beautiful?"

I ignored his endearment, pursing my lips. "You'd better have a good reason for not telling me."

He bit his lip nervously.

"I don't like being left in the dark, Zeke," I whispered. I saw James shift in the seat he was sitting in. "Bad things happen when I'm left in the dark."

"Blythe-"

He was excused from an explanation when a knock came at the door.

I stood up, not before shoving Zeke's head off of my lap, and grabbed the dagger laying on the coffee table. I walked to the door.

"She's upset," I heard Zeke mutter.

"Well, no shit," James replied dully.

I ignored them, opening the door.

I knew immediately that the men who stood at the door were not here for a friendly hello.

"Blythe Hayes?"

"Who's asking?"

The man who spoke leered at me. His friend lunged, tackling me. I almost lost the dagger, but managed to get ahold of it. A punch from him cracked against my jaw and made stars explode in my eyes. I could feel them shut. My hand with the blade immediately went in for the kill. I didn't know where Zeke or James were. The blood was rushing in my ears and I pain exploded in my head as another punch hit my jaw, the blade smacked out of my hand.

I heard Zeke calling my name. He sounded far away, but something snapped. I opened my eyes, peering up at the lunatic in front of me. My hand reached out, and I grabbed his throat, nails digging into his skin. My other hand, as a gurk sounded from his throat, reached up and my nail stabbed his eye.

He shouted, and I shoved him off, rolling onto my knees. My fingers reached for the dagger as the other man tried to attack.

My powers boiled at my fingertips, begging me to use my position to blast him into tomorrow. I ignored the sensation, shoving it back into the dark recesses of my mind as I grabbed the blade. I bounced up, my blade slashing across his chest, and I send my fist into his face, hearing the satisfying crunch as his nose broke.

He howled in pain, staggering back. I took the chance to search for Zeke. He had leapt off the couch and was battling one more man who had gotten in while I was preoccupied. James was at the front door, sealing it shut with one of his tricks. He didn't even glance as he fled the room, perhaps to prevent any other entries and to make sure that the area was secured.

I internally cursed myself. My jaw was broken - getting Zeke's attention was going to hurt like hell.

I was determined not to let this fight be anywhere near similar to my last one. Dodging another attack, I made my way over to Zeke. Zeke's hand snaked out and pulled me behind him, and then reached out once more.

A cry of agony filled the air, and Zeke's assailant crumpled to his knees. I tucked my dagger into my belt and gripped Zeke's wrist, tugging him down the hall and into my room.

I shoved him in and shut the door. My finger brushed the doorframe, and a white sheen flashed over the door.

"Blythe?" he asked quietly.

I ignored him, eyes examining the damage done to him before I walked over to my drawer. Fists pounded at the door, but I took my time as I sifted through the herbal jars full of different leaves and plants, finding the one I needed to get rid of the pain in my jaw as quickly as possible so it didn't weaken me.

"Blythe, are you really that upset about me keeping it from you?" He walked up behind me, his hand lingering just a hairsbreadth from my hip. I heard him swallow as I continued searching, not acknowledging it.

I knew that it was there somewhere. But where?

"Blythe..."

I found the jar I was looking for and opened it, popping one of the leaves into my mouth. The pain dissolved from my jaw, and I felt the bones shift back into place with the help of my healing charm.

Zeke's heart was pounding as I returned the jar to its rightful place, closed the drawer, and leant into him, exhaling slowly.

"I'm sorry. Look, I was just trying to keep you out of it as long as possible, okay? I... I didn't want you doing something rash and getting hurt."

"Getting hurt is what I do, Zeke," I muttered. "So that other people don't have to. But I don't do rash things."

His hand rested around my waist. "Excuse me for caring," he muttered back.

"You care too much."

I flinched as a particularly loud bang came from the door, but didn't move. They couldn't get in with brute force alone, not with the shield I put up. Not to mention the charms that would pick up on and destroy threatening entities that pose harm to me.

Zeke's grip tightened on me, and he pressed a kiss to my scalp. "No, I care just enough. Everyone else just cares too little."

I couldn't help the smile as it flitted across my face. "Maybe that's the way I like it."

Zeke sighed heavily. "Should we get back out there?"

"We can stay in here as long as we'd like," I replied. "The door won't break unless the spell is broken, and these guys were hired as brutes, not intellectuals."

Zeke snorted at my jab on their brain capacity. "Still. James is out there, and I don't quite like leaving him to deal with them on his own."

This time it was my turn to sigh. I turned around. Zeke moved out of my way and followed me as I walked up to my display case of weapons.

"Quite the collection. I'm sort of jealous." He picked up a sleek, silver revolver I was quite fond of.

"I've had awhile to collect," I replied. I took the gun from him and handed him a sleek fighting knife which better suited our needs. I selected a similar one, tucking it into my belt.

"Clearly."

He admired the blade for a moment as I grabbed my jacket from the hook on my closet door and shrugged it on. It offered more protection than my T-shirt and jeans, and would hopefully prevent any surprise attacks while my back was turned.

I walked back to the door. My hand traced another symbol engraved into my door, and a yellow pulse exploded outward, not harming Zeke or myself, but slamming into the intruders on the other side and pushing them to the wall so that Zeke and I could escape.

I walked out, brandishing my dagger. James appeared on the other end of the hall, a busted lip and some cuts on his head telling me that he had a bit of fun of his own.

"You two alright?" he asked, a blade of his own clasped in his hand.

"Perfectly fine," Zeke and I replied I'm unison. I glanced at him and he smiled slightly.

I turned to the two men who had decided to attack. They launched, but I ducked, swinging my leg out as they passed. One of them sprawled, and I leaped on top of him, blade poised to the back of his neck.

The other man froze. James drew his gun, pointing it at the man, and Zeke came up behind the intruder, knife poised over his jugular vein.

I muttered a spell under my breath, and the man beneath me stopped struggling. Not dead, but not bound to wake up. I rolled off of him. Easily done.

Suddenly, Zeke staggered back, dropping his blade. He cried out, clutching his head. James did the same with his gun.

I stared at the man before me. His countenance betrayed nothing as he stalked towards me, grabbing my hand with the blade. A smirk flicked across his expression.

"You should be glad you weren't involved, Blythe Hayes." His other hand snaked around my throat, but he didn't cut off my oxygen. "Bad things happen. Just ask your friend. Nathan."

Dread pooled in my stomach. I spit into the man's eye, and he howled, jerking back. My knee went up and caught him in the groin, and then I took my blade and drove it through his skull, grimacing as warm blood spurted onto my body.

I wiped the blood from my face, not batting an eye as his body collapsed gracelessly to the ground.

Zeke and James groaned as the spell on them released itself. I started dragging the dead body to the back door.

~

When the house was rid of all signs of a battle, I collapsed on the sofa while my adrenaline levelled out. Zeke sat next to me, and I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes.

"Who the hell were they?" James demanded.

"People who have failed twice in attempts to kill me," I replied.

"Do you know who sent them?"

"I have a pretty good idea."

Zeke's arm encircled my waist, and I curled up next to him, drawing myself closer to the comfort he exuded.

"Who?"

"A story for another time," I told James without looking at him.

"Blythe, these guys tried to kill you, and you're not even taking action?"

I shrugged. "I will. Right now I doubt I could do much of anything."

Zeke pulled me closer still. "Right now, we'll relax. And then we'll come up with a plan of action."

I hummed in agreement, not bothering to fight the exhaustion as it took over.

~~~

That, I suppose, was when the real trouble started.

The next few weeks that followed were full of me tracking down Nathan, asking what the hell went wrong, and then doing some research of my own to get the information I needed to figure out exactly what was going on.

~~~

Zeke and I were sitting in his car, watching the entrance of a building. The sun was pretty close to setting, and the both of us were sitting comfortably in the heater of his car, protecting us from the cold of the winter.

"Is that him?" Zeke asked, pointing to a man discretely.

I glanced at the man in question and nodded. "That's him."

I pulled out my phone and shifted so that he was in the sight of the camera. Zeke leaned close to me and positioned himself as if we were taking a picture together. The both of us put on cheery grins, and I snapped the photo of the man as he approached the building, then as he opened the door, and then one more as he walked inside.

Zeke then reached over and flipped the camera view around, as I let my grin drop. I looked at him in confusion, and he grinned at me, tapping the capture button.

I looked at the picture with him. He had captured the both of us staring at each other. My hair was slightly in my face, and the confusion in my eyes could have been mistaken as something else as Zeke and I stared at each other. Zeke was staring at me with a cheeky grin, eyes twinkling humorously.

"I like this one," Zeke declared, smiling.

I rolled my eyes, smiling. "It's a good one," I replied.

"You'll have to send it to me later." He grinned.

I laughed. "I'll put it on the list of things to do."

He grinned again, kissing my cheek. "Does dinner sound good before we head home?"

I smiled. "Sounds wonderful."

Zeke shifted back into his seat and turned off the car. He climbed out and shut the door behind him as I got out myself, tucking my phone into my pocket. The winter air chilled me to the bone, as I had bypassed the intimidating physique my jacket gave off for an elbow-length sleeved shirt. My protection came in the form of a necklace charm that was both fashionable and discreet, that protected my body from any sort of physical damage.

I shivered slightly, feeling slightly envious of the Navy blue hoodie Zeke was wearing.

I refrained from acknowledging the cold as Zeke and I started down the sidewalk.

Zeke glanced at me a few moments later and frowned. "Are you cold?"

I shrugged. "I'm alright."

Zeke heaved a sigh and shook his head. "Blythe. You will be the death of me with your inability to admit weakness." He pulled off his hoodie, revealing the longsleeved shirt underneath, and handed it to me.

I frowned. "If I take that, then you'll freeze your ass off."

"I'll live, babe. I'm a big boy."

"Did you just call me babe?"

He shrugged. "Do you have a problem with it?"

"Not necessarily. It's just a new one."

Zeke nodded. "Are you going to put on the hoodie, or do I have to put it on you myself?"

"You're going to freeze your ass off."

"You're worse than I am, Miss Bordering-On-Anorexic. Put the damn hoodie on."

"I am nowhere near anorexic," I argued with a scowl. But, I put on the hoodie.

Zeke seemed satisfied. "Nah, you're just perfect." He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close as we continued walking.

He seemed to like having me in close victincy, I'd noticed, but I could hardly blame him in this instance - body heat was the best thing he had to keep warm with me wearing his hoodie.

"You flatter me."

He smiled down at me. "But of course, Blythe."

I smiled, leaning into him as we walked, putting my hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

To anyone else, we looked like a normal, juvenile couple out for a late evening stroll.

To the both of us, we were two slightly screwed up people who happened to find common interests and allowed themselves to be pulled into the vortex of attraction and adoration for the other, out for dinner after the usual stakeout.

We didn't ever make it to the diner Zeke had in mind.

I found myself tackled in a blur, stumbling out of Zeke's grip and onto my back, hands uselessly entangled into the hoodie's pockets as whatever attacked me pinned me to the ground. I struggled to escape, hearing a few shouts from somewhere above me, but it was to no avail. Suddenly, a wet, slobbery tongue licked at my face. It could have only belonged to a dog.

I let out a noise of disgust as my previous alarm settled. The dog was pulled off of me by Zeke, and I sat up, pulling my hands free to wipe the slobber from my face.

A boy of about ten or eleven raced towards us, panting and red in the face. "I- I'm so sorry," he panted.

"Don't worry about it." I smiled at him. Zeke released the dog's collar, and it moved towards me. I held my hand out, letting the dog sniff my palm.

"A-are you alright, ma'am?" he asked me, obviously worried.

"I'm absolutely fine," I assured him. I pet the dog, and then grabbed the leash that had been dropped by the boy - presumably - to hand it back. Zeke helped me up. "Are you alright, kid? You seem rather flustered."

He seemed shocked over my concern. "I... I'm okay..." He accepted the leash when I handed it to him.

"Where are your parents, kid?" Zeke asked. I think we both found it a bit odd that he was out this late on his own, without any parents around.

"Uh... they're..."

Nonexistent?

"They were around somewhere. I lost them when I lost control of Caramel."

He was a good liar. He didn't shift, and his immediate tells were nonexistent. As soon as he had a plausible story, he stuck with it without hesitation. That being said,  I imagined that that wasn't the full truth.

"That's great. Where are they really?" I asked bluntly.

The boy seemed surprised that I called his bluff. "I'm not sure what you mean, Miss."

"You know exactly what I mean."

He reminded me of myself when I was his age, as cliché as it sounded. I could picture myself in this exact situation. Which is why his next words were hardly a surprise.

"Miss, I truly have no idea what you mean. My parents are probably searching for me so we can go home."

He was good, I'd give him that.

I shrugged. "Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind us coming along so you can find them."

"You really don't have to do that..."

I wasn't stupid. He was polite, and he looked well nourished, but his arms were skinny, his hands shook, and there was a distrusting look in his eye that I recognized because it was the same look I had the majority of my life. This kid lived on the streets.

From the look Zeke gave me, he knew it too.

I was saved the trouble of a response when a little girl ran up to us, eyes wide. "Ky," she tugged on his shirt vigorously, panting. "Help. Kevin..."

That was all it took for the boy to bolt, pulling the little girl and the dog - Caramel - along.

Zeke glanced at me, waiting for my say so.

I sighed and started jogging after them, and Zeke followed behind me.

We're led into an alley way - how goddamn original, right? -  and the first thing I noticed were the sobbing sounds of a young boy. The alley was dark, leaving so much to the imagination as to what dangers we were about to meet.

"Leave me alone!" a boy sobbed. "Please!"

Then the kid - Ky, the girl called him - barked out a "Let him go!"

The little girl was whimpering, cowering just behind Ky, and Caramel was growling.

"Shut up, all of you!" an older man snarled. He hadn't seen or heard Zeke and I yet. "You stole from me, you little brats!"

"No we didn't," said the younger boy in a small voice. "I promise we didn't."

"Your promises don't mean nothing." I heard a smack, and then the little boy wailed.

"That's a double negative," I commented, stepping forward. Everyone looked at me in surprise. "You just said his promises do not mean nothing. Which means that they do mean something. So you contradicted yourself. Bravo, mister."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Blythe Hayes, at your service." I mocked a bow. "Slayer of evil, savior of the innocent. And I don't quite like you harming little children because they 'stole' from you."

He scoffed. "You're full of shit."

I sighed. "I'm going to warn you against using such foul language. These children are impressionable."

The man stared at me in what I assumed was disbelief.

"Miss," Ky said, tugging on my hoodie. "You really shouldn't put yourself through the trouble-"

A wail filled the air. The little boy wouldn't stop whimpering, and so the man threw him into the wall.

A snarl escaped my mouth. Ky and the girl screamed for who I assumed was their brother, and Caramel lunged for the attacker, toppling Ky over as he was pulled forward by the leash. I picked him up and ushered him and his sister towards Zeke. I turned to the man as he kicked Caramel to the side.

I lunged at him myself, pulling my blade from my boot. I tackled him, pinning him down with my knife to his throat. "Give me one reason not to slit your throat, other than the fact that innocent children are watching," I hissed.

He swallowed thickly, fear gleaming in his eyes. "Go to hell," he spit, instead of yielding like I had preferred.

"I already have a special spot preserved," I sneered, pressing the blade deeper into his throat. "One reason. Or I get these children out of here before I gut you. Haven't met my killing quota of bastards this week, so you'll be a nice tick mark to add on to the list of scum removed from the earth."

While I wasn't opposed to killing him, I definitely didn't want it to come to that. I really didn't want to ruin Zeke's hoodie.

"Fuck you!" He roared, pushing me off of him.

I tried to jump up, but he kicked me back down.

"Fucking bitch! You shouldn't have messed with me!"

I rolled my eyes at that last one. I grabbed a chunk of brick from the ground and rolled onto my back, chucking the rock into his face. I rolled out of the way and grabbed the blade again.

"I warned you against obscenities, didn't I?" I hissed, standing above him. I kicked him in the side. He groaned and tried to reach over to trip me. I stomped on his hand. "Be smart and don't move. I will sic that dog on you and I'll be damned if you're able to fend it off again." I stomped on his knee for good measure, ignoring his howl of pain as I assessed my damage. I tucked my blade back into my boot and turned around. Zeke had led the children out of the alley. I grabbed Caramel's leash and walked out casually, fixing my hair and dusting off my hoodie.

I found Zeke on a bench with the three children a good distance away. They were all drinking what looked like hot chocolate, and the children looked happy to be able to have something to warm them up.

"Caramel!" the little girl cried upon seeing her dog again.

I jogged over and returned the leash to the girl, who smiled up at me.

"Thank you, Miss Hayes."

I smiled at her. "It's just Blythe, love. But you're absolutely welcome."

Zeke handed me a cup of hot chocolate. "You good?"

"Not a scratch," I assured him.

"Good. I'd hate to go back over there and finish what you started."

I smiled, sipping my hot cocoa. "He won't be much trouble anymore. We had a very... Interesting talk. We're under a mutual agreement, now."

Zeke chuckled. "Oh yeah? Is he still breathing?"

"Unfortunately, I'm inclined to say yes."

"Miss Blythe?" Ky asked.

I looked at him.

His shoe scuffed the ground. "Thank you for helping us. You really didn't have to."

"Of course I did, kid. Was I supposed to let that guy beat your brother to a pulp? Or worse?"

"I could've handled it," he mumbled shyly.

I hunkered down to his level with a small smile. "Maybe you could have. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should have to."

"Hypocrite," Zeke coughed. I glared up at him.

"Where are you three staying?" I addressed Ky again.

"Uh... Wherever we can find that's warm enough, I suppose."

"Now that won't do." I sighed. "Especially after what just happened. What are your guys' names?"

"I'm Kyle." He points to his brother. "That's Kevin." He points to his sister. "That's Kylie. They're my siblings, but I think you knew that."

"Well, you know I'm Blythe. This is Zeke, my boyfriend."

Zeke smiled his greeting. The three of them smiled.

"I'm going to get you guys a motel for the night. My friend will stop by to pick you guys up and we'll put you somewhere where you'll be safe, and together, alright?"

The three of them seemed hesitant, but they nodded. I knew it was probably hard to trust me. But they couldn't deny a warm place to sleep.

"What about Caramel?" Kylie asked.

"I'll take care of it," I replied, smiling warmly.

~

Zeke took me back home after everything with the three of them was settled. We learned that their surname was Lance, and that their parents died in an accident two years ago. They avoided child services because they didn't want to split up, and Caramel was their family dog that they'd managed to keep with them the entire time.

"Why did you help them?" Zeke asked as we walked up to my door. "I'm not ungrateful, but I'm curious. You could have easily just sent them along."

I glanced at him with a shrug. "Because I'd like to think that I can give them what I never had as a child. An actual childhood."

He sighed. "You're so fucking amazing. How did you even end up in my life?"

I smiled, kissing his cheek. "Fate."

He chuckled. "I'll have to thank her one of these days."

"I'll send my gratitude for you. We're set to have a rendezvous one of these days."

He laughed. "Thank you."

I grinned. "Any time." I paused at my front door. "You probably want your hoodie back, huh?"

"Nah. It looks better on you, anyway."

"And cheesiest line of the year goes to Zeke Vermont!" I drawled. He laughed. "Are you sure you don't want it back?"

"Keep it." He smirked. "I have more."

~~~

Time passed quickly. As winter turned to spring, Zeke, James and I worked to save the world from dying at the hands of three or four scumbags who didn't understand that you don't simply mess with my world and expect there to be no consequence.

Zeke and I were following a lead from a rather quiet Nathan, and I stood in front of a dingy little shack of a house, that was brown and rotten from lack of care.

I was wearing a rather revealing top that flaunted cleavage I barely had and hugged my skin uncomfortably, with skinny jeans that had so many holes in them that they made Swiss cheese jealous.

My protection this time came in the form of earrings that protected my body from minor harm, and a pocket revolver tucked snugly into my boot.

I knocked on the door. My earpiece crackled, and Zeke's voice came in through it. "Not too late to come up with a different cover, Blythe. Especially one that's less revealing."

I smiled, even though he couldn't see me. I knocked on the man's door - my research revealed that his real name was Bentley Hestrada, but he usually went by his middle name - Clyde. For whatever reason. "You're cute, Zeke," I mumbled under my breath. "But let me handle this, will you? I know what I'm doing, I promise."

"I don't doubt that. It's not you I don't trust, Blythe. It's this guy. You read his file."

"I did. Which is why this is my cover."

He didn't reply, because in that moment, the door opened and a man in his early twenties opened the door. He wore sweatpants and a T-shirt, and his hair was askew, but obviously well kempt otherwise. He was rather handsome, I supposed, but made less attractive by the smell of stale sweat and cigarettes that infiltrated my heightened senses and assaulted my nostrils.

He looked me up and down. "Do I know you?"

"You should," I replied, disgust rippling off me in waves. "We met a few weeks ago."

He squinted his eyes, trying to remember. "I'm pretty sure I'd remember your pretty face."

"We met in the bar down the street," I told him. "You were pretty wasted when we met."

His eyes raked over me, and I heard Zeke's grunt of disapproval through my earpiece. "I suppose you look familiar. What do you want?"

I pouted. "Now, Clyde, is that really how you are going to treat the mother of your child?"

Bentley's eyes bulged. "W-what?"

"You got me pregnant, dumbshit," I deadpanned. "I'm certain it's yours."

He paled. "How is that possible?"

"Do you really need me to go through the process of how children are created?"

"Fuck," he mumbled, rubbing his face with his hand. "What did you say your name was?"

"Sierra Flynn."

"You're not fucking with me, are you?"

I smiled wryly. "No thanks. I did that once, and look where it led me."

This was probably really cruel to do, but I wasn't about to seduce him with Zeke listening in. I was miserable enough with my current predicament. Even so, I was rather sure he deserved it. He wasn't exactly the nicest of guys.

"I suppose you want to come in?"

"It would beat standing out here, yes."

Bentley let me into his house and shut the door.

"Do you want a water?" Bentley asked.

"No, thank you."

He gestured for me to take a seat on his couch.

I sat down and he sat across from me. I crossed my legs so that the boot with my gun in it was nearer to my hand.

An awkward silence in the air hung, and I took the chance to examine the area for anything of importance.

"So... What do we want to do?" he asked quietly.

What I wanted to do and what I was going to do were two different things, unfortunately. Which was a shame, because I really was looking forward to killing off all of Vincent's followers out of sheer principle.

"I don't know," I admitted slowly.

"I can pay child support? We can try to make things work?"

"Ugh. Blythe, if another man gets you pregnant, he's going to die," Zeke announced in my ear.

I had to hide my smile, keeping a blank face for the sake of my cover.

Getting pregnant would involve me cheating. Which would never happen, no way in hell.

"I have a boyfriend..."

Make this as miserable as possible before striking.

"Fuck! Does he know?"

"Haven't told him yet."

Bentley let out a string of curse words, some of which I was half sure he made up. "Were you two together before...?"

I shrugged. He was making this too easy.

He groaned miserably, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I need a goddamn drink," he muttered.

I smirked to myself as he walked out of the room. Winding people up amused me. That was probably a bit sadistic, but it got the job done.

I stood up after a moment, pulling my gun out of my boot as I followed him into the kitchen.

He leaned against the counter, gulping down a bottle of beer.

"Shouldn't you be drinking something a bit stronger?" I asked casually, leaning against the wall across from him and making sure my gun is visible.

He blinked at me, and then his eyes trailed down to the gun in my hand. He swallowed thickly, and I watched his hand poise to throw the bottle at me. I raised my gun hand and shot the bottle before he could throw it. Beer and glass sprayed everywhere, but neither Bentley or myself flinch.

"If you so much as look at the knives to your left, I will shoot your hands, and I will not miss."

"L-listen," he stuttered. "You can have whatever you want... P-please don't shoot me."

"This is what we're dealing with?" Zeke asked incredulously.

I couldn't help but agree with him.

"I'm not here to steal from you." I rolled my eyes. "If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't come in broad daylight."

"Then what do you want?" he asked.

"Information, dumbass."

"On who?"

"Vincent White and his merry little band of misfits."

"Was that a Robin Hood reference?" Zeke asked me.

I scoffed under my breath. "No. Don't you read any more? It's Robin Hood and his merry outlaws, not misfits," I mumbled.

"What?" Bentley asked.

"Nothing," I replied with a smile. "Just speaking to myself."

He looked at me like I was crazy. Whether I was or not wasn't something I was about to divulge.

"Who's Vincent White?" he asked slowly.

"Who the hell do you think you're fooling, Bentley Clyde Hestrada?"

He paled significantly, and I watched his fingers move towards the underside of his counter.

I pulled back the hammer on my gun. "Move one more inch," I challenged. "I just have a few questions. Answer them truthfully, and I'll let you go without dying."

"Really?" both him and Zeke asked at the same time.

I shrugged. "Sure, why not? I feel kind of guilty for stringing you along." Not.

"Wait... So you're not pregnant?" He sounded relieved.

"Dude, I'm only sixteen. What kind of person do you take me for?"

"Do you want me to answer that?"

"Nope. But I want you to answer this. Whe-" I was cut off by a woman's warcry, and then a bat hitting me over the head. I cursed, grabbing the bat and pulling it to me. I grabbed the woman's wrist, squeezing, and she dropped the bat as my gun went to her chest. "I fucking dare you," I growled.

Bentley froze. The woman did also.

"One reason," I demanded. "One reason not to shoot you both right now."

"You good, Blythe?"

I ignored him, staring Bentley dead in the eye.

He swallowed thickly, and then, "Vincent White worked with Meghan Greyson," he blurted. "I don't know why. They worked together before she died. He's doing this in her memory, I guess."

"Vincent White wasn't alive when Meghan Greyson was around," I sneered.

"T-then it was his father. Or grandfather." His eyes pleaded with me. "Please let her go," he whispered hoarsely. "I-if you want more information, I have a hard drive in my room that has all of his plans. He's conspired with me multiple times."

"Blythe?" Zeke asked.

I shoved the woman into Bentley. "You should know that your boyfriend sleeps with underaged girls, ma'am," I informed her. I stalked out of the room, into Bentley's, and grabbed the hard drive. I walked out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

"You're letting them go? Blythe, they can let Vincent know we're onto them."

"He already knows," I replied darkly, putting my gun into my boot as I stalked down the street.

~

Zeke met me at the end of the block. "Are you okay?" He pulled me close to him.

I rested my head on his shoulder. "Yeah."

He kissed my scalp. "Hey, Blythe?"

"Hm?"

"You had better not be sleeping around behind my back. People might have to die."

"Cheating on you would mean I owed you no respect or loyalty, Zeke."

He smiled against my hair. "Hey, Blythe?"

"Yes?"

"I think I'm in love with you."

I smiled. "That's okay. I'm in love with you too."

He pulled away and looked at me a moment. Then, he kissed me.

And I let go of all of my troubles at the moment, and I kissed him back.

~~~

Many more months passed, and as Spring turned to Summer and Summer to Autumn, Zeke and I worked to rid the world of the vile beings that threatened it.

I woke up in my bed that morning with something draped across my torso. Slight panic flashed through my mind before I caught the scent of Zeke's cologne.

Ah, right. He had stayed the night for fear of another attack, to which I tried reassuring him plenty of times wouldn't happen, but being the stubborn ass that he was, he didn't listen. He also insisted on sleeping in my room when I finally conceded, on the grounds that protecting me would be easier if he were in the same room as me. And, of course, ethics prevented me from telling him to sleep on the floor, which I'm sure he was counting on.

I turned my head, to be greeted with the sight of Zeke's face, inches from mine.

Such a sloppy sleeper, I mused quietly, a smile tugging at my face as I brushed his bangs out of his face.

I grabbed his arm, lifting it from my body gently. He didn't stir as I slipped out of the bed. It was only about five in the morning, so I wasn't planning on having him wake up any time soon.

I changed out of my pyjamas and into jeans, a shirt, and my tennis shoes. I pulled on a hoodie - Zeke's - and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I walked into the kitchen and started on coffee. Zeke had started coming around to my place at godforsaken hours, and for his sake I invested in a coffee maker. I hardly used it for myself, but since he came around so often, it didn't go to disuse.

I made myself a small breakfast of buttered toast and put out a mug for Zeke before going outside to tend to Knight and Cheyenne.

After tending to them, I did my daily chores around the yard, checking on the garden I had started growing again because of my receding supply of herbs, and making sure the perimeter was still intact.

By the time I was done, it was well past nine in the morning.

I leaned against the paddock wall, watching Knight and Cheyenne graze as I fought to cool down from all of the walking I had been doing and the extraneous tasks that occupied me for a good four hours.

I heard someone come up behind me - Zeke. His arms snaked around my waist, and he pulled me close to him.

"Morning, love," he murmured into my ear.

I smiled, resting my hands on his. "Morning."

He kissed the space just below my ear. "You're wearing my hoodie," he said, fiddling with the material between his fingers.

"I am."

"It looks good on you."

"You said that when you first let me have it," I pointed out.

He chuckled. "I did. That statement still stands."

I hummed, closing my eyes and leaning into him. "You flatter me."

"That's what I'm here for, baby," he replied cheekily. "How long have you been up?"

"Four hours or so." I shrugged.

"You could have woken me up."

"I woke up at five. I have more decency than that, Zeke."

"Still." He was silent for a moment. "I have a question."

"You should know by now that I always answer your questions, Zeke."

"What do you do with your horses when you're away?"

"I usually ask Nate to take care of them until I return. Before he was around, I had a lady who would take care of them while I was gone. She passed away a few years ago."

"Oh. Did you know her well?"

"I babysat once or twice for her. Otherwise, no, I didn't. Why?"

He shrugged. "Just curious. What do you do when Nate isn't available?"

"When the impossible happens, I call upon my many contacts to find someone I can trust, and do a thorough background check." I shrugged again.

"No expense too high, huh?"

"Nope."

He rested his face in the crook of my neck, and I felt him smile. "I hope I get the same treatment if something ever  to me."

I chuckled, leaning into him. "If something ever happened to you, I don't care what else is going on, I would spare nothing if it meant getting you back. I've been told I'm really good things when I put my mind to it."

"Are you?"

I grinned. "I deal with you, don't I?"

His laugh rumbled in his chest, sending a strange sensation up my spine. "You're one to be talking, Miss Impossible."

"Tch. I have no idea what you mean."

He kissed a spot on my neck, lifting his head and turning me so that we were face to face. I had to wrap my arms around his neck to be sure I didn't fall due to my awkward leg positioning, and he rewrapped his arms around my waist. "Guess what day it is."

I hummed softly, fiddling with a strand of his hair. "Your birthday?" I asked.

"Blythe, my birthday was two months ago. You know this."

I grinned slightly. "My birthday?"

"Your birthday is in March."

"Huh. I dunno. Is it... the anniversary of my breakup with Nathan?"

Zeke laughed. "Close, I suppose. Even though, I thought you guys separated in the summer."

"We did."

He frowned slightly. "Do you really not know?"

I looked him in the eye and smiled. "Of course I do. On this day, a year ago, I met the most significant person in the world."

He grinned broadly. "And I, the most miraculous woman. Miraculously stubborn, too."

I laughed. "One of my many traits," I agreed.

He smiled, a warm one that I felt from my head to my toes and that showed me all of the admiration he held for me. The look was almost scary because he let me see just how much he loved me with those eyes of his, and it made him so, so vulnerable to me. He gave me his heart with those eyes, and he expected me to keep it and to cherish it. I did. I did and I hoped I would always be able to.

He kissed me, and I let him, welcoming the distraction from my terrifying thoughts.

When we pulled apart, I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes.

"I love you," he whispered.

My treacherous heart fluttered. "I love you too," I whispered. And I meant it.

I pulled out of the hug after awhile. "I want to show you something."

"Oh yeah?"

I nodded. "Yeah. C'mon."

I took my hand in his and led him out of the paddock and towards the back of the yard.

"Are you taking me to where you kill people? Gee, Blythe. I thought we had a good thing going."

I snorted. He was slightly nervous, it seemed, to see whatever I was going to show him. "Nah. I'd have blindfolded you if I planned on killing you."

"Well, that's reassuring."

"Hush, Zeke."

I led him into the small area in the back of my yard that was surrounded by trees I planted purposely.

"When my parents died, Meghan burnt down the house and all of our stuff with their bodies still inside," I started, leading him into the weaving rows of trees. "The bodies were never, uh, found. And so when I got the land - I was thirteen by my terms, a guy did me a favor and got it for me - I didn't have much to put on it, save the house and horse stables, that sort of thing." I sighed. "One day, I just... Missed them. You know what I mean, I'm sure. My parents were always fanatics over nature, and they loved trees." I patted the trunk of a tree as we passed it. "This became my new project. I planted the trees, and they grew. Better than I imagined, actually. It made a canopy over the area, and..."

We made it into a clearing. Sunlight leaked through the canopy I had spoken about, through the orange and red leaves and onto the lush grass.

Zeke exhaled slowly in astonishment. "Blythe... this is gorgeous." He looked at me.

I smiled in agreement. "Yeah."

He looked around, and I could pinpoint the exact moment he saw the purpose of why I brought him here. His shoulders stiffened and he swallowed hard, squeezing my hand. "Is that...?"

I followed his gaze and nodded. We walked over to the two grey stones in the grass. "I couldn't bury my parents. They were already ash when the fire stopped. She made me watch. Her way of telling me that my old life was over and that I would start anew with her. Anyway. I missed them. And so I built a memorial here for them. I would come, and I would sit down, and I would just talk for hours on end. I would sit out here and read aloud. They weren't around to be proud of me, so I prided myself in reading out here so that maybe they'd see it."

I sat down beside the stones, running my hands along the names.

Here rests Lillith Hayes,

Mother, Wife, and Friend to all.

Here rests  John Hayes,

Father and Husband first, soldier second.

"The boyfriend usually meets the parents when he starts dating their daughter. I guess this is my way of letting you meet what's left of their memories even though it's a little late."

Zeke swallowed thickly, kneeling down next to me. He didn't say anything, I imagined he was trying to find something to say.

"I didn't know them very well," I continued. "But I would like to think that they would be very happy that I met you. And I think they'd approve."

He smiled softly. "They'd be proud of you," he said quietly. "From what you've told me. They'd be so proud of their beautiful daughter who puts her life on the line to make sure the world doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

I smiled back. "You think so?"

He nodded. "I know so."

"They'd like you," I whispered softly.

He pulled me close, hugging me and kissing my scalp. "I'm sure I'd like them, too."

I rested my head on his shoulder, unable to keep the smile from my face.

And we sat there. Just being... Us. Under these trees, with my parents watching over us, where even the sun couldn't shine through, we were able to be ourselves without the outside world intervening.

~

Nathan and James found us a few hours later.

Zeke had pulled me into his lap, and I was resting my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as he told me about his father.

"Figured you'd be back here."

Zeke paused, and we both looked over at Nathan, who was leaning against a tree. James was beside him, standing more respectfully, because he knew what this place actually was.

"Actually, I did. But we'll let Nathan have his way." James rolled his eyes.

I smiled softly, standing up. Zeke stood beside me. "Didn't know you two knew each other."

"We don't. I was over here on business, and he happened to be standing at your doorway about to knock." Nathan gestured to James.

"Ah. Neither of you tried calling me to make sure I didn't pulverize you on accident?"

They both shrugged.

Nathan peered at Zeke. "You're the boyfriend, then?"

Zeke nodded, holding out his hand. "Zeke Vermont. You're the best friend?"

Nathan glanced at me as he went to shake Zeke's hand. "Nathan Fischer. Yeah, I am. Also the ex, but..."

"Nate," I warned.

He grinned at me. "Ah, come on. If I didn't test him, I wouldn't be much of a best friend, would I?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes.

Zeke chuckled. "Pleasure to meet you, Nathan. But, as a heads up, if you make a move on my girlfriend, I will tear your arms off."

Nathan grinned. "We'll get along great."

~

That evening, we all sat in my living room. The guys were drinking beer James so lovingly brought. I was not, and instead nursed a glass of water while we all chattered aimlessly.

I mainly listened as the three most prominent men in my life laughed and bonded, and I found myself wondering why I didn't introduce Nathan to them sooner. I supposed he was just someone I hadn't really expected to easily bond with Zeke.

And then James was an entirely different matter completely. I hadn't even truly thought about him for thirteen years until I met him again through Zeke. It didn't even occur that I would have missed his presence in my life.

James looked at me. "So, what, you don't drink anymore or something?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Anymore?" Zeke and Nathan echoed, staring at me.

I eyed them over the rim of my water glass. "You two make it sound like I'm some complete saint." I snorted. "Flattering, but quite far from the truth." I look at James. "I'm not against it. I just don't do it much. I'm sure you can guess as to why."

James nodded. "The same reason I gave up trying to stop?"

"Something like that."

Nathan and Zeke were still staring.

"Blythe, I've known you for three years. How the hell have I never seen you drink?" Nathan demanded.

"Because you never asked." I shrugged. "Plus, I don't get intoxicated like any of you. A shame, but then I don't really complain because I can stay alert."

"Then why'd you stop?" Zeke asked.

"Dreams. Nightmares, really." I shrugged. "They intensify when I have alcohol in my system. But yes, I drink on occasion. Not very often anymore."

"I could stay with you a lifetime, Blythe Hayes, and I would never know every thing about you," Zeke said.

"I like it that way." I drank more of my water.

"Has she told you why she likes the color Arctic blue?" James asked Zeke.

Zeke shook his head. "No."

"Is this really the time for this?"

"When Blythe was younger, she-"

"Really? James..."

He smirked, ignoring me. "She had this house. Not this one, but another one. This house was here, but she wasn't living in it at the time. It was almost twenty years ago. Anyway. She lived in this house, and she had these neighbors. They had a little girl - Cr-" he didn't finish saying her name when he saw the look on my face. "Eh. One day, the girl was in Blythe's yard, crying. And so Blythe, having a soft spot for children, went out to see what the matter was. The girl was upset because a few other kids had teased her over what her favorite color was. When Blythe asked why, the girl said it was because her favorite color was Arctic blue instead of a girly color like pink or what have you. Blythe smiled and told her that Arctic blue was a fine color. The two bonded, and Blythe has liked it ever since."

"Okay, that's sort of adorable," Zeke said, looking at me.

"I get that a lot when it comes to kids." I rolled my eyes.

"Why is that such a big secret, though?" Zeke asked.

I picked up the empty beer bottles on the table. "Because of what happened after we bonded," I replied vaguely. "I don't like thinking about it."

James took a swig of beer. "I don't either. But I enjoy the good memories."

I shrugged. I walked into the kitchen, tossing the bottles into the trash can.

Air shifted behind me. I pretended not to notice. Zeke and Nathan laughed at something James said in the other room.

Intruder.

I walked over to the sink and braced myself over it like I was trying to calm myself. My hand slipped under the counter and I grabbed the pocket knife I had taped under there after the first attack.

"Blythe?" Zeke walked into the kitchen, and I heard him freeze.

The person behind me turned, and I lunged in that moment, gripping the man by the shoulder and pressing the blade to his neck, having flicked it open while he was distracted.

"Shit!" Zeke burst.

Nathan and James came running.

"You okay?" Nathan addressed me. James disappeared, and I knew he was going to reappear in my hallway, into my room, where he would grab weapons for everyone.

I nodded. "He didn't touch me."

Zeke narrowed his eyes. "How long did you know he was there?"

"Since I walked into the kitchen," I replied. I adjusted my grip on the intruder, letting my blade dig further into his neck.

"How did he get in?" Nathan demanded.

James reappeared. He had his utility belt on, and handed Zeke one of my revolvers. Nathan got one of my many daggers. "The backyard. I went and checked. The fence had been broken through. I fixed it and put the charm back on."

"It should be impossible to break through that," Nathan said with a frown.

"Not if you know how," I said with a sigh. "All charms have a weak point."

"Do you want me to get him?" James asked, motioning to the fact that I was practically standing on my tiptoes to maintain a good advantage. I wasn't short, the guy was just much taller than me.

"Please," I said with a sigh.

Zeke put the revolver up to the man's head as I traded him over to James.

I reached for the drawer to my right and opened it. I pulled out the pair of handcuffs in there and tossed them to Zeke.

"Do we even want to know why you have those?" Nathan asked.

"I have a pair in every room if you know where to look." I shrugged.

Nathan shook his head, chuckling softly. Zeke seemed amused as he put the cuffs onto the man's wrists.

"You didn't think this through, did you?" I addressed the man.

He smirked. "You were supposed to be alone. This will work quite nicely, though."

Zeke made a noise of distaste in the back of his throat. He held his hand out for me to take. I slipped past the man and took his hand. He pulled me close, the revolver still dangling from his other hand.

"You two are cute," the man said. "It's a shame, really, what we'll have to do."

As if on a predetermined cue, men appeared all over the room in my house. James let out a small curse, and grabbed at Nathan, who was closest to him. He looked at Zeke and I, eyes wide.

I was pulled back by the hem of my shirt, and Zeke pulled me back, firing a punch into the man's face.

"Go!" I barked to James. He hesitated, and I knew what he was thinking. "I swear to God, James, you get my best friend to safety or I will slaughter you!" I snarled at him.

James flinched. He and Nathan disappeared in a plume of black mist.

Zeke held me by the waist and pulled us towards my room. "On three, make a run for it," he hissed. "One."

He fired at a few men, and swung a few punches. I knew he wasn't using his power for a reason, I just didn't have the time or mean to figure out why.

"Two."

I slashed my pocket knife into the throat of a man who tried to attack me. My powers were bursting at my fingertips, begging to be let out. I wouldn't let them.

"Three!"

I turned and ran. Zeke fired one last bullet and followed after me. I stopped outside of my room and fumbled with the doorknob, trying to get it open.

Then, an eardrum-shattering noise pierced the air. Zeke toppled over, clutching his head. I moved over to him, trying to tug him to my bedroom, but it was to no avail. Someone grabbed me while I was holding him, and everything went black.

~~~

11,289 Word total.

Heh. So, this is it. The next scene is the last one. I just cut this one here because it's super long already.

sammy8300