Eventually Ria and Adeline stepped outside and told me it'd be okay if I went home. I told them I didn't really feel comfortable with that, and then Ria insisted she had photographic memory and would be fine.

She knew my phone number, after all, even if she didn't have a phone. I was still somewhat worried, but waiting outside was boring and coming in with them would have felt like an invasion of privacy.

I went first to check up on where Kell was, hoping to run into Micky. The ward seemed to be empty- well, besides Kell in his bed- and I retreated down to the lobby to call him up.

"We talk a lot by phone, don't we?" Micky said. "You could text me."

"Where are you?"

"Not anywhere you'd like to be, I'm going to assume. Michael's back, so I've been recalled to the central main building- you know the one- while he rants about how it's his right to kill the rebellion."

"What are you guys going to do?"

"Try to prevent Michael from killing anyone? He already stabbed Alexander coming in. We're trying to keep him away from the mortals."

"No, I mean about the rebels."

"Uh. God, I don't know? I'm more cavalry than decision maker. We're not really supposed to bomb anyone. That'd be bad PR. But I guess there have been talks about fighting back. We have to do something or they'll continue to push forward."

"Can I come over? Is that okay? I don't have any answers or anything, but I could use something to do."

"What about your sisters?"

"They're fine."

"Go ahead then. Just a warning: it's not exactly fun."

"When's the last time it was?"

Micky sounded like he was about to answer, maybe citing how much fun he had during the war, but I hung up and started walking. The hospital was at the very western edge of the city, so it was a bit of a walk to the central square.

The place was extra guarded right now, proper cerulean soldiers standing at the southern roads and extra security around the trio of main buildings.

Micky met me at the steps, unsuccessfully trying to wave me through security. I had to dig out my old ID before they cleared me.

"We're expecting a retaliation pretty soon, since you know, Michael slashed that woman in half."

"You've already drawn the first blood. What's stopping you, really, from just continuing? I know it makes the government look bad, but you know, you guys already come off as pretty shitty at base value. You probably have enough might to end things if you really wanted to."

"We are shit, thanks, and that's why we can't crush them- we don't have enough active soldiers, and probably the majority of them would turn against us if given the order to kill."

We got out of the elevator, and Micky turned to me, gripping my shoulders in that way he was fond of doing. "Good luck, by the way."

"Huh?" I said, following him into the conference room.

I guess I figured out what he meant right away. Michael was sitting at one side of the table half naked. Across from him, leaning on the wall, was a similarly half dressed Alexander- he had on his familiar long coat and boxer shorts, and was smiling smugly.

Next to Michael was a sleep deprived Christina, holding his shoulder lightly. Kelsey sat stiffly next to Glenn.

Michael was quiet right now, but I had the distinct impression he hadn't been not too long ago. He glared at me as I entered.

"What is this?" He snarled.

"Just... hanging out." I said.

"Are you here to help things? Give advice? I saw you in the crowd. You know how they have rejected diplomacy."

"I mean..." I looked at the gathered. "I'm not someone who should be turned to in times of need. But my personal opinion is... don't so cautious about it? Things are only going to get worse if you don't find a way to push back, and you know, Michael is pretty correct in saying they're not looking for diplomacy."

"Bomb them!" Michael shouted, slamming his fists on the plastic of the meeting table.

"No, that's still a bad idea. Because everyone would die, including Amrael."

"Amrael's in there?"

"Still? Have you really not known where she's been these last few weeks?"

"I assumed with Victoria. This is really news to me. So..." He slammed his fists on the table again. "Shoot them all!"

"We don't have the manpower for that." Alexander said.

"You're immortal. Why don't you just charge in and work your way through?" Glenn asked.

"It'd be drawing blood again!" Alexander said testily. "They'd probably retaliate before I could come back. Look, we get together a hundred or so guys- I'm sure we have that much- and send them in. And see what happens. Some of them, at least, should do their job. I keep saying, we don't have to kill them all, just scare them into giving up."

"Freedom fighters never exactly give up." Glenn said.

"God! Freedom fighters! These guys hate it here so much, try living in America. I keep this place fine. What more could they want?"

"Probably elections." Kelsey said.

"There's less corruption if I pick people out myself. They don't know that yet, and god, this city is my disgusting little child- I'm not going to let them find out."

"Are you going to do this forever?" Kelsey asked.

"I'm- well. Listen, I'd love to die. But you know, we tried Chrissie's talk-it-through approach to breaking this curse and it got us nowhere. So, after this little fiasco is cleaned out, I'm going to try my method."

"Murder?" I said.

"Mass murder. I think it'll work, and the end result is everyone coming back to life in the end. So then I'll have to deal with overpopulation- but small peas, yeah?"

"You're honestly planning on staying in charge if you somehow break the cycles?" Glenn said. "I think once your immortality is gone, someone's going to kill you. Hell, I might just kill you."

"I was hoping to stick around for a few months, but really, who knows? We'll see what the world's like after all this. I might just skip town. Head to somewhere pleasant." He put a foot on the table, awkwardly leaning towards Michael, a little too short for this gesture to work. "Perhaps France, just for old times sake, huh?"

"You know, I never asked to be like this." Michael scowled, his normally clean face for once carrying wrinkles.

"Nah, we were born like this." Alexander said, grinning.

"How much of this conversation is going to consist of you two hate flirting again?" Christina asked, yawning.

"I don't want to know what kind of relationship you had with Kell if you consider this at all to be 'flirting'." Alexander said. "Or wait, is it still too early to mention his name?"

Christina yawned again and waved her hand passively.

"There's no clean way out of this." I said, shaking my head. "I hate to admit it, but from my perspective, Alexander's plan is probably the best one we've heard. Send some people in to do damage and show that you're not going to sit idly."

"We'd have to reclaim the south first." Christina said groggily. "It's not impossible to walk straight through to the base, but any survivors would be gunned down upon exit. Most of the southern blocks either have civilians who are caught in the wrong place or defectors, who we still don't want to harm. We have to find someway to neatly drive the militia back."

"We go in and shoot them all." Alexander said immediately.

"They could hide among the civilians, take people hostage, other things." Christina yawned again. "Plus, I don't think people will be too fond of the streets running with too much blood."

"Who gives a shit about the people?" Glenn said. "We can't do this without a bit of violence."

"Or a lot of violence." Micky added. "We're a goddamn totalitarian dystopian oligarchy composed of angels, demons, dogs, and gods. Let's start acting like it and oppress some motherfuckers."

"It's not really a dystopia." Alexander whined. "I mean, we got the equal rights thing pretty down. And our policies against homelessness and starvation are essentially utopian."

"Shut up Alexander." Kelsey said. "I don't quite enjoy the language you're using, Michael, but I'm afraid I agree. Peace hasn't worked. We go until they stop."

"Can you not call Micky 'Michael' when I'm in the room?" Michael said. "Really throws me off."

"Killing everyone will probably have repercussions." I said. "Of some sort. Probably bad?"

"Yeah." Glenn said.

"I'd suggest finding Amrael as soon as possible. So they don't take her hostage." I said, unsure really what I could say in this situation. I did not consider myself an expert on matters regarding slaughter, and while I was thankful Micky had given me something to do in allowing me to sit in, I was slightly uncomfortable being granted any sort of voice.

"She'll be fine." Micky said. "She's like, a mini-leader down there."

"She's a thirteen year old girl and has no place among a violent uprising."

"Someone hasn't been reading any young adult books as of late." Glenn remarked.

"This is one of the worst meetings I've had to sit in on, counting the one where an angel tore Sydney's throat out and Glenn was skinned alive." Kelsey said, his hand on his head.

"Okay, let's try to write out a simple plan." Christina said. "Step one- we grab as many soldiers as possible, preferably ones with a long standing in the military. We make several squares, one for each horizontal that enters the south. They don't shoot until shot at."

"They shoot first." Micky said. "Get it over with."

"I don't like this plan." Christina said, shooting him a look that barely worked in her sleep deprived state.

"Let me do the work then. New plan: We get soldiers, split them into squads, send them down the streets. Shoot every guard they see. They gather at the entrance to the underground and head in. We learn what happens next together."

Christina scowled.

Kelsey sighed. "Micky, dear god, you're the only one left who technically is in charge of the military. Put together the soldiers. Michael, can you try and be helpful? Get the angels on our side with this."

"They tend to get antsy whenever they see teal, if you know what I mean." Michael said, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet on the table.

"You sound a lot like you're expecting us to bribe you."

"Can you?"

"Is there... anything you want? The city already pays for all your bills, and has given you a luxury condo."

"Make Alexander get the fuck outta town."

"Hey!" Alexander exclaimed. "Unfair. Can we evict Michael instead?"

"Michael has actual power in this case." Kelsey said. "And, no, we can't kick Alexander out of the city."

"Then I'm not doing shit." Michael crossed his arms.

"Jesus fuck, am I the only person here who grew past the age of twelve?"

"Can't exactly help it." Michael gestured to himself.

"Hey." I said, drawing the irate gazes of the room towards me. "Uh, Michael? Amy is stuck underground, remember? Your daughter? And she seemed ill too."

"Yeah, I know." Michael fixed his chair. "I always was going to do it. Just wanted to have some fun first. I have this bad feeling it's going to be the last chance I get for a while." He stood up.

"Okay, meeting disjoined?" Kelsey said. "I'm going to stay here with Glenn and try to act as a base of operations, and call the rest of us and tell them the plan. Christina, you should go with Michael."

"Hey, meetings can't end until I've decided on the plan!" Alexander said.

Kelsey gathered his things and got up, walking out the door. As he passed, Micky grabbed Alexander's shoulder and gave him a brief, smug smile.

I followed him out. "I love giving that bastard a hard time," Micky remarked.

"Is there anything I should be doing?" I said.

"Dude, I don't know. You should get a job." Micky snapped his fingers. "Shit! I just remembered we did have a job. I forgot a ton of contracts you were supposed to do before the cycle change. Oh well."

"I'm going to head home then."

"Do you mind heading back to my place? Your apartment is a little too south for me to feel comfortable with."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"I'll call you when it's over." Micky said with a sigh.

"Don't die."

"Promised I wouldn't, didn't I?"

Three hours later, and another siren rang through the city. I had stopped by my apartment and left a note for Ria and Adeline explaining where I was, but they had yet to show at Micky's apartment. I had mostly spent my time half napping. There wasn't much else for me to do.

Another siren went off, joining the first in discordant melody. For once I was wise enough to just turn on the television in order to learn what was going on.

I clicked to channel one. In all caps, against a sky blue background, the words 'stay inside' were displayed. I turned off the television. These alarms were going to wreck my chances of catching any sleep.

There wasn't much else to try besides heading outside and learning firsthand whatever catastrophe was taking place, but I had one more attempt: I dialed Micky up.

He didn't answer the first time, or the second, or the third. I could feel my face slowly fall into a frown. A tiny pang of anxiety stirred in my heart, twisting in a gentle circle, vaguely hurting.

He was fine.

I didn't bother to grab a coat before I stepped outside. I just shifted into my hellhound form and started running.

The sky was static, a pale blue that kept glitching between clouds and warnings. Every now and again it would pause, and I'd catch sight of that familiar mantra old 'stay indoors'.

The sirens pierced my extra sensitive ears to the point that I expected them to bleed. Small bits of pavement dug into my pawpads as I ran, each bound a heavy landing against the oft broken ground.

I ran straight to the south, and I suppose the first thing to worry about was evident the moment the outer wall was visible: there was no one in sight.

The scent of gunpowder plagued me as I tried to trace the action. My abilities of sniffing continued to weird me out, but I could follow the smell of guns pretty easily. They had definitely gone underground.

Were the sirens maybe just because of this? Just a warning to civilians to keep away from the action? Was I having this panic attack for such a silly reason?

I nearly let myself rest. I certainly started controlling my breathing.

He was fine.

What a concept to hold true. No matter how much I tried to calm myself down, there was another scent in the air, and a heavy blanket of dread to tops- some people had gone west.

Micky was probably in the south. Suddenly I really wished I had brought along something of his to smell, so I could be certain- then again, god, would I look stupid if I wasn't actually capable of tracking.

I told myself Micky would be fine one more time- and then barreled westward again, not tired but anxious, not winded by full of adrenaline.

Because the hospital was to the west. And while there was no good reason for the rebels to attack the hospital... well... I had this bad, bad feeling they would. What else was to the west? The bathhouse?

Plus, Kell was there. And... angels didn't really like Kell.

My paws couldn't hurt because they weren't real, but god, they felt like they were full of cuts. The hospital was on the very edge of the city, one long street that smelled of violence. Why would they head this way? There had to be another reason.

But the closer I got, the deeper my gut sank: for once in my life, I was absolutely right. A line of five soldiers stood in the street before the hospital, and far off behind them I could see another line. Around the building were tens of rebels, milling about in the open.

Confident that Hell wouldn't risk attack.

They had a small pile of bodies, I noted, or really two: their own and Hell's. A couple patients and personnel were also on the street.

I kept moving closer until the soldiers raised their guns, then I leapt back into human shape and raised my hands up.

Though I thought I was making my very best 'I come in peace' gesture, they didn't lower their guns, and after a little bit of harmless walking one of them cocked his gun in that scary, noisy way, and I stood still.

"My sisters are in there!" I shouted.

That one rebel soldier cocked his gun again. I had a feeling that, though it wouldn't have worked conversationally, he meant no.

Well, shit. This complicated things.

I shifted back and began running to the center of the city.