The sun was just starting to set when Phoenix caught sight of the safe house. Looking at it she thought safe house probably wasn't the best word to describe the creaky old water mill. The wheel still spun slowly as the river trudged past. The foundation of the house was made of river stone so she knew it wouldn't slide into the river. However the roof was a completely different story. Even from here she could see holes in the old shingles. The building should be a historic landmark that was protected instead it had been left to rot by a city that no longer seemed to care for much other than feeding its own desires.

Phoenix picked her way carefully towards the building keeping low in the tall grass. She had taught Riptide and Snow to never trust their eyes and to always guard their back. Even if they did see her they would be cautious on the chance that she was a vampire or being used as a puppet. She came across a trip wire that snaked off to the house, no doubt an alarm. Phoenix followed it a little ways to confirm it disappeared into the mill. Then she gently tugged the thin line. She couldn't hear anything but there was a subtle difference in the air. She was being watched. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and she noticed a stream of water slithering through the grass towards her. Riptide had spotted her. In crouch he sprinted towards the mill. Concentrating on the water as she ran it started to steam. She knew if she used actual fire it could draw unwanted attention.

Once she made it to the door then she rapped on in quick succession. Once the code was acknowledged the water disappeared and the door opened. Daisuke stood in the doorway with partially transformed hands. He reached out and extended a claw to her forehead. They waited there for a long moment before he finally said,

"It's good that you returned so soon and unharmed." he glanced around. "You weren't followed." It was a statement made without surprise. He stepped back and allowed her entrance into the small main room. Phoenix walked in and looked to Riptide. He was hovering over his sister who was still asleep.

"How is she?" Riptide shrugged and looked behind her at Daisuke.

"I'm not a doctor, according to him she's just sleeping to regain strength. She wakes up and every now and then mumbling about you." As if Snow they were speaking about her she stirred and tried to pry her eyes open.

"Phoenix?" she murmured. Her eyelids slid slowly up and she stared blankly at the ceiling trying to get her eyes to focus on something. When she was finally able to see she looked to Phoenix. "She was you, but not. I wouldn't have gone in the club." Her lids drooped and her words slurred sleepily. Phoenix tried to comfort her.

"It's alright Snow. How are you feeling? Who attacked you?" Snow's eyes drooped a little more. But her eyes flew open again.

"Not attacked." Phoenix nodded.

"Could you identify the person? What they felt like?" Snow shrugged weakly.

"I thought she was you, but I know she wasn't. Now I can't remember. She promised I would be safe until you came for me. I'd be protected. I can't remember, everything is blurry." Her eyes slid shut and her words were cut off. Phoenix looked to Daisuke.

"Does that make sense to you?" he nodded

"Carpathians have the ability to blur and even remove memories. They don't kill so Snow was left alive, but the sun was probably coming up and the Warrior was most likely very weak so she was left with protection. Though I didn't feel anything. That would explain why the ghouls didn't attack her while she slept." Phoenix bit her lip.

"What about the part where her attacker looked like me but wasn't me?" Daisuke shrugged.

"Do you have a sister?"

"I'm human."

"Doesn't matter, anyone with phyic power can become Carpathian." Phoenix shrugged trying to clamp down on the memories of that night.

"My sister is dead. A vampire killed her." A sad look passed over Daisuke's face as if he guessed that she viewed Nina's death as her fault as much as the vampire's.

"I'm sorry." Phoenix believed him. There was a level of regret in his eyes that seemed a little too sharp. Had she known him? Had Nina? Questions for another time when they were safe. Pete had access to vehicles and they did not so they would have to leave. Soon.

"We need to leave. Pete had someone like us with him. I could actually feel him in my head and it was not a pleasant experience." Daisuke narrowed his eyes and Riptide looked confused.

"Explain." They said in unison. It actually kind of freaked her out. Phoenix took a deep breath then exhaled slowly so she could gather her patience together. First a panic attack, then running all over kingdom come. Now more running and explaining.

"Walk while I talk, we need to leave." The other two grunted and moved to gather their meager possessions. Riptide helped hoist Snow onto Daisuke's back. It was at this moment Phoenix considered they knew next to nothing about this man and yet they were being unusually trusting. Then she remembered he had broken his back for her and Snow. No time to be questioning her choices now. She went to grab her bag but Riptide stopped her.

"I'll carry that."

"I can carry my own stuff." she tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice but couldn't quite manage it. Riptide didn't seem to take it personally.

"You're dead on your feet and we have to find a new place to hide and lay low while Pete cools down." Phoenix took a deep breath and let the younger boy take her bag. She knew he was right she could feel her exhaustion pulling down on her like a ton of bricks. But he was wrong about one thing. Pete wasn't going to cool down and chances are he was hunting people like her for his own uses or to clear the streets. They wouldn't ever be able to return to their home she thought sadly. Her thoughts went to her father and mother's grave. They made their way out of the safe house and trudged on away from the city. Darkness swept in around them bringing with it all the noises of the night.

They traveled with Phoenix leading Daisuke carrying Snow behind her and Riptide taking up the rear and watching to make they weren't followed. Once they had put a quite a bit of distance between them and the safe house she explained about the man who attacked her, leaving out her dream man. She wasn't ready to share him yet. Riptide was nervous about this. Anyone who had access to their minds was similar to them and probably a tough opponent.

"You don't think he could control us?" Daisuke looked from Riptide to Phoenix.

"Human's with such abilities are rarely that powerful, but there is always that possibility." Phoenix nodded her agreement. She had seen few of what their kind could do, her herself had nearly destroyed two homes. Nina had nearly strangled someone with one of her a flowering honeysuckle vine accidently. Then there were vampires, she swallowed and forced those thoughts away.

"Do you think he needs to be close?" Daisuke shuck his head no.

"They would need at least need to see you and be close to you." He thought about it and then added, "Though they may be able to feel you. Like when a vampire is close and you feel the foulness of them."

"Then I guess it's a good thing we put distance between us and the mill." Daisuke nodded in agreement. Phoenix looked ahead and not for the first time since they had left wondered where she was going. They were heading towards the mountains but that was all she knew.

"So, where exactly are we going?" Riptide huffed. Phoenix bit her lip and looked at her friends guiltily.

"We're heading for the mountains." Riptide laughed breathlessly.

"I see that. Any particular place there?"

"I think so."

"You think so?" She knew what he was thinking. She rarely acted without having backup plans, but in this case there was little they could do.

"I don't know why I just know we will be safe if we continue to head this direction." Daisuke looked at her curiously before glancing around like he expected to see someone. Phoenix looked around but felt and saw no one. She shrugged and continued to trudge forward. They moved slowly in darkness until Phoenix was forced to light a small fire to lead by. They reached the foot of the mountains after only three hours of walking. "We should rest." There was a groan of relief from Riptide while Daisuke made a noise that sounded like a sigh.