"Are you sure this is fine?" Luke raised an eyebrow at Alice as he looked into the mirror.

Alice laughed off Luke's worries. "I'm the fashionista here. Lea's not in any state to help, anyways. Heard he got bullied hard last night."

"Was he talking?"

"Of course."

"See, we talked about that." Alice playfully smacked Luke's head as he nervously glanced back into the mirror. "It's like I'm going to my own funeral in this suit."

Alice's devilish grin went unnoticed. "If you mess this up, it might be what you get buried in."

Luke glared up at her. "Not. Helping."

"You really are nervous, huh?" Alice found it amusing. Would Geiney act the same way? Just thinking about it caused her face to heat up.

"It's my first date, Alice. I mean… I'm out of my element here… What am I gonna do…?"

Alice rolled her eyes. "It's more of a friend thing, right?"

That cut deep. "At least I got that far."

"Why I oughta…" Alice puffed her cheeks out and turned for the door to the store. "You're dressed up nicely. Just stay calm and breathe."

Walking over to the door, Luke followed her out into the bright street. "Here's hoping today goes well."

…

Ruby leaned against the front of the diner; the old-fashioned doors that familiar red and white décor. Inside were yellowed newspapers and rustic toy car models lined up on the shelves. The menu was written on a blackboard of all things, with one section dedicated to community art.

"Bet that board gets vandalized…" Ruby clicked her tongue and turned around towards the brightened street. "Why'd I show early? Not like I can't make it here quickly."

When she noticed the tall, dumb and nervous guy walking up to meet her, she rolled her eyes. "Hey… Ruby?"

Ruby stepped forward and put a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Let's be real, kid. No one likes the shy nervous guy routine. We both know why you're here."

"Uh…" Luke's eyes widened a bit as he racked his brain for a legitimate response.

"I've had more than a fair share of nice guys try to play that ticket before becoming a real cock slap of a person." Ruby folded her arms and stood her ground. "I'm watching you."

Luke held a hand to his forehead. "Without premium, you may experience ads during your watch time. Would you like a bite of Calvin's Diner? Try our new Blue Ranch Bacon Burger for only $12.99!"

Ruby's eyebrow twitched and her lip curled into a frown. "Stuff it. Let's go already!"

"After you." Luke reached for the door but Ruby grabbed it first.

"I insist." Ruby knew that trick. Ogle the girl when she goes in right? One dude even grabbed her ass. Can't be a welder with a snapped finger, huh?

Luke slyly moved inside. "Oh, what a gentleman!"

Ruby ground her teeth as she sized him up. What was his game?

…

As the two waited for their food, Ruby decided to take initiative and start the conversation. Contrary to how he acted with his friends, Luke was abnormally quiet.

"How have you been lately?"

Luke left his stupor and faced her, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Oh, it's kinda hot out today. I… Well, it's been tough."

Ruby decided to broach a topic that concerned Geiney still. "I heard about… Your dad."

"Oh…" His eyes fell immediately and Ruby felt a twinge of guilt. "Mom's not around much so it's just me and my friends staying over. I mean, Jude's getting his own place soon when the security work pays off."

Jude? "Friends?"

Realizing what he had said, Luke rephrases what he said. "Jude and Erin are people I met… on the job, so to speak. I'm trying to keep them on the right track, you know?"

Ruby thought back to her talk with Shera. "You hoping to reform them or some such nonsense?"

"I mean, I started with those kinds of powers but… I'm not that bad, right?" Looking over at the ice cream guy Charlie warned him about, Luke struggled to word it right. "I'm just surprised you asked me out. I wasn't ready."

"I can tell." Ruby's harsh tongue dampened his spirits, something she noticed after a moment. "To put it plainly, I was dared to ask."

Luke stopped moving altogether and glanced up at her. "You what?"

Ruby leaned back and laid her legs across the booth seat she was on. "Yeah, we played truth or dare and I got put up to this. If it makes ya feel better, you were my first choice."

"…Oh. Well, that's something I guess." His words were hollow; his mind was split by indecision. Should he stay on this pity date or politely excuse himself?

"Hey, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I've just… never asked someone out myself. Usually I'm the one getting asked." Ruby tried to reel things back in. "Like I said, I did ask. I wouldn't have wasted your time if I didn't… Well, that doesn't matter."

Luke raised his head and gave her a sheepish grin. "So what you're saying is… there's a chance?"

Ruby motioned for the server to hasten the delivery of their food. "Look. Food. Eat!"

"Lea's right. You're cute when you're caught off guard." Luke took in the sight of her angry visage and the bright red on her cheeks and decided he had no reason to give up just yet.

"Geiney! Come meet the rest of the family!" Uncle Greg waved the boy over to the picnic tables.

"Coming!" Geiney let go of the heavy bag he was helping Luz with who nearly collapsed under the weight of the heavy tent. Sara jumped in and helped her poor sister lift the object and sent a glare towards the oblivious child.

Jasper's ears perked up and twitched. 'Meeting the family, huh?'

"This is your aunt, Lisa." He gestured to a woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. She had large hoop earrings dangling from her earlobes that twinkled in the light breaking through the tree branches of the forest.

"Look at this boy! He's still a child." Geiney was slightly startled at how loud and authoritative her voice sounded, "He's grown up a bit! How old are you now?" She smacked his arm and Geiney rubbed the tingly sensation away.

"Fifteen." He responded. He imagined he was a soldier talking with his commander.

"Ha! Man up boy, that doesn't hurt." She smacked his arm a couple more times and Geiney flinched every single time. "You've got to grow up some time, kid. Toughen up." She flexed her body, showing off the thickness of her arms and legs.

Lea was not impressed by this woman at all. When he approached Geiney she shooed the poor cat away and went away with her business. 'I'm pooping in her shoe later!' he thought. If he was still human he would have stuck out his tongue at her.

Uncle Greg leaned in to whisper in Geiney's ear, "She's always been like that. I think she was dropped one too many times as a baby."

"Yeah, one too many times." He agreed, rubbing his sore arm.

They walked a small distance where a man was finishing set up one of the tents. He pulled a rope hard, tightening the slack that remained. In one smooth motion he tied the rope to a metal hook staked on the ground.

"This here is your uncle Felix."

"Hi, Uncle Felix!" Geiney smiled.

The man turned around, "Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes, young man. You've grown a lot since I last saw you. Think you were still in diapers back then." Uncle Felix had graying hair that was cut short. He had crow's feet underneath his solid gray eyes. The man had a handsome smile.

"Yeah, probably." Geiney smiled.

"Ah, you see." He pointed at Geiney's face, "We share the same smile. We must be related." He joked. Geiney laughed.

Jasper meowed. The atmosphere had changed to a pleasant one and Jasper happily waved his tail back and forth. Jasper felt more comfortable with the older gentleman; he seemed like someone trustworthy.

"Who's this little guy?" He asked, looking down. Jasper meowed in response.

Geiney bent down to pick up his familiar, "This is Jasper. He's my cat."

"Such a handsome little creature." Felix petted the animal.

"Felix!" The shout of an angry woman was heard.

"Yes, princess?" He batted his eyes at the woman who approached the group and only glared harder at the older gentleman.

"You said you would be done an hour ago! Why haven't you finished yet?" She came screeching to a halt right next to Geiney. He stared at the newcomer, a woman who was at least four times the girth of the Felix. She turned to face Geiney and her glare softened into surprise.

"Oh my goodness, is that you, Geiney?" She leaned over, completely towering over him. She laughed, "My goodness, how much you've grown. You probably don't remember me." She waved a hand, "Of course you don't! You were a cute little baby when I met you. I'm your aunt Melinda, Felix's wife" She gave him a bear hug that nearly left him crippled. Jasper tip-toed away from the woman. A hug from her would be the end of him.

Geiney gasped for air, "It's nice to see you, too." He strained to speak as he tried to fix his deflated body.

Realizing she had an objective, she turned back to Felix.

"I'm waiting!" She tapped her foot repeatedly on the ground.

Uncle Greg made a walking motion with his fingers to Geiney and the boy understood the action. Like Jasper before them, they began sneaking out while Melinda began demanding that explanation.

"Your aunt Chris isn't feeling so well. Uncle Felix was telling me that she was doing fine but then she suddenly felt sick."

"Is she going to be alright?" Geiney asked, concerned for his aunt.

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be alright. You just gotta give her some time. I can introduce you later."

Geiney affirmed, "Okay."

"Geiney! Come help your sister out with making some lunch!" Sara called.

"Coming!" He responded.

As Luke scooped up the first bit of ice cream into his mouth, he silently observed Ruby's vain attempts at removing the cherry from the top of her sundae as it pressed itself further into the dessert out of her finger's range. As she pulled her vanilla and chocolate soaked hand away and grabbed a napkin, she sent daggers at him with a steely glare.

"Shut it."

Luke shrugged. "Happens to the best of us. I would have asked them to skip the cherry if you didn't like it."

Ruby grabbed the spoon and jammed it into her dessert. Instead of finding the cherry, she split the maraschino in half, spilling cherry juice all over the inside of her sundae.

"That's unfortunate…" Luke laughed at the forlorn expression on Ruby's face as she realized she was thwarted by a mere topping.

…

Varland grinned as Zhou entered the room at the swanky hotel he'd rented a room out in. The penthouse, to be exact. "How'd it go?"

Zhou laughed as he slammed his cane into the ground at the entrance to the doorway. "They chose everyone but me. It seems to be a ragtag little squad; a centaur, a young little harpy, some fraud tarot reader, and a transformer, a trickster type."

"Nothing of note, then. This should be easy enough." Varland rose from his chair. "Where's their introductory patrol at?"

"They didn't say. I'm sure it's somewhere in New Valentine though; likely downtown area to get a feeling for their new occupation." Zhou turned for the doorway. "If you find that old rival of mine, do put him down, would you?"

Varland said nothing as Zhou faded away into the darkness. He had no intention of going after Mr. Wong until this little mission of his was concluded. He didn't know the exact beef between Zhou and Wong but he knew it had something to do with why Mr. Wong's family emigrated to the States over a hundred and fifty years ago. Was Zhou really that old? He wasn't even a demon.

What he was only made Varland shudder.

…

Setzer was so excited. Today he'd be patrolling with real magical creatures! How did he get in!? Yeah, his tarot skills were exemplary, but it didn't mean he could win a real fight. He just thought this would be cool! The pamphlet that Ailyn lady gave him worried him way more than it should.

Geiney hiked through the forest with Uncle Greg, Jasper trotted alongside his charge, his tail swaying gently. They had a light meal and now were hiking to help the food digest faster. It was an excuse to get away from the women of the group and for Geiney to spend some more time with his uncle talking and joking around. Geiney really admired his uncle. A light breeze flew by and caressed both of their faces.

Uncle Greg stopped and placed his hands on his knees, "Are you sure you wanna keep hiking, sport?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be fun!"

Uncle Greg exhaled loudly, "I'm afraid these old bones won't let me go any further." He placed his hands behind him and tried to fix his back with louder than necessary groans that made Geiney roll his eyes at his uncle.

"Aw! But we haven't even reached the halfway point! We haven't arrived at the giant rock formation over there!" He pointed in the distance where there was giant pointed rocks jutting up from the ground. The trail was labeled as a good hiking trail for experienced adventurers. The trail was ten miles and snaked back into a second trail that led back to the parking lot of the camping station where they were lodging.

"I hate to be the party pooper but I think I'm gonna head back… after I catch a little breather." He groaned as he meticulously sat himself down on an even rock.

Geiney shrugged and ushered Jasper up on the rock next to his uncle. He took out a reusable bottle of water, uncapped it and drank from it. Uncle Greg took out his flask and took a hearty swig from it.

"You know, uncle Greg," Geiney pointed at his uncle, "There's something about your story that doesn't make any sense to me."

"What is it, kiddo?"

"When Chin went to go pee, he was attacked by the creatures. He was the second to get skinned. The first was Eileen during her brisk walk in the forest. And the third was Lacey that evening in her tent. I got to thinking. What if Eileen was some sort of leader the Skinstrifers had; someone talented enough to blend in with people?" Geiney deduced.

The older man nodded, "Yes. I thought about that long after the incident. They could have been using us as training perhaps, or maybe they thought they would advance their skills by taking each one of us. Guess they underestimated us that evening. I know I underestimated them, too."

Uncle Greg smiled and stood from his spot.

"I'm real proud of you kiddo, I'm glad you deduced that little bit. The Skinstrifers can alter your memory, make you remember things differently, but the real memory remains untouched. It is impossible for any creature mystical or otherwise to change a memory into a completely different thing."

Uncle Greg laughed upon seeing Geiney's confused face.

"Picture this, Kiddo. You are at the carnival with your sisters. Luz and Sara both have matching 'I'm number 1' shirts of the same red color. You have a blue shirt that says, "I'm with stupid' or other. A Skinstrifer can alter that memory by changing the color of your shirt to green. You distinctly remember putting on a green shirt but both your sisters believe you wore a blue shirt. Or they can change what was written on your shirt."

Geiney understood and nodded his head, "I get it. So they can alter some details but not the situation. They wouldn't be able to alter the fact we were going to the carnival."

Uncle Greg's smile widened, "Bingo! The fact that the three of you were going to the carnival and were at the location is something no creature can change. The details perhaps, but not the setting. That is why playing memory games are important to survive especially since we're out here. The ability to catch differences in two stories no matter how small could save your life if you ever go up against these things."

"Are you going back, Uncle Greg?" Geiney asked. Jasper hopped down and began rubbing the man's leg, running his head back and forth on the man's exposed ankle.

"Yes, my boy. I grow old and weary. Let's go back."

"Actually, I don't mind going by myself. Sara gave me a Walkie in case we got separated. I'll keep it on me."

Uncle Greg shrugged, "Suit yourself, kiddo. I'll see you back at camp." Uncle Greg turned and began heading back for the campsite, his weary expression dragging as he walked away.

"What do you say, Jasper? Should we continue?"

Jasper meowed excitedly. Yeah! That trail looks like fun! The familiar thought.

Do I look okay? Wait, does that matter? Angela looked herself over in the mirror. Her green jacket was designed to be aerodynamic and her blue cutoff jeans made it easier for her to fly. I dunno… This is supposed to be dangerous. I think? I don't know how this will play out. At least the other guys seem competent. Even that Setzer guy has a presence that's… mystical, I guess?

Taking one last look at the mirror, she smiled confidently and headed out for the door. Ignoring her mom's demands to know where she was going, Angela just said "Out!" and sprinted out into the street to reach the meeting place on time.

…

Silas groaned as he lifted himself up off of the couch. His job was starting to grow on him but the overtime really started to kill his free time.

As he rolled himself out of bed, he glanced down at the food placed on the table for him by Erinea. His guilt started up again. His agreement with Lily was tentative. Erinea had agreed to what was likely a suicide mission. It all depended on that mind-controlled girl Marina had; Maria.

What was Luke going to do when he was forced to decide? Silas wanted to stop the plan… But if he did, Erinea's life was forfeit and Lily would target Luke and Geiney herself. Even if Silas stopped her, he couldn't stop everything.

Silas stood up and walked into the mirror and washed his face, the lines of exhaustion and worry marking him. "Come on Jude, keep it together."

"You having second thoughts?" Erinea woke Silas from his clouded self-loathing.

"Ah! Uh, Erinea! I just… Well…" Silas paused. "Ailyn told me Luke's on a path to getting himself destroyed. I just… doubt our plan will be necessary."

Erinea leaned against the bathroom doorway, kicking the toilet paper roll that the cat they had, Flannel, had knocked into the hallway. "You don't want to get me killed, is that it?"

Silas snapped at her. "Why the hell would I!? I already lost Raviel!"

"It's not like we're friends, though. We just live together with… with him." Erinea motioned to Luke's room. "I mean, his mom hasn't so much as called since she left her son here. After the police couldn't find him when he sprinted out of that bathroom covered in his own blood, I mean. Must be rough on her to see her kid lose it."

"I guess you could say that." Silas turned and moved past her heading towards the front door. "Just think this through. We don't have to do anything that vermin wants."

Erinea flatly replied. "So you have another option that would work?"

Silas shook his head. "None that involve not losing anyone. Least of all you and him."

Silas slammed the door behind him after locking it. Erinea glanced down at the floor. "Easy for you to say. You got somethin' worth living for. You forgot your past… What I'm afraid of is that you'll regret knowing. Like I do." As she falls to her knees and feels tears run down her face, the memories of her mother hitting her and decrying having ever birthed her, Flannel jumped into her lap and began purring as he rubbed against her.

Absentmindedly she stroked the cat's back as it tried to make her feel better. The cat meowed for food and Erinea reluctantly forced herself up to feed the child of Luke's old cat Chubster. His sister Koneko was likely hiding under a nearby cupboard. Just as predicted, the beautiful calico cat came sprinting into the kitchen beside her candy-cane striped orange and white brother to push him away to get food; Flannel had a habit of eating it all.

…

Luz folded a blanket in her hands, getting their tent prepared for later that evening. The three of them would bunk in the large tent that they had brought with them. Inside the tent there were two spaces that could fit a total of four each. One would be where the girls were staying and the other was for Geiney and his familiar. The two flaps led to a slightly smaller room area where the main flap leading outside was. It was a tent that they had fallen in love with.

The tent was solid white with red trims, around five feet tall and had a small ventilation flap that resembled a window with a screen. While Geiney and his uncle went for a walk, the two women had already inflated the three beds they were going to use. In Geiney's room, they added Jasper's comfortable cat bed.

They were a short walk from the campfire, so Luz was making sure her siblings had enough warmth inside the tent. The evening would cool tremendously and she didn't want either sibling to wake up feeling cold.

Just as Luz was about to head inside the tent she caught someone familiar walking back from the trail alone.

"Where's Geiney?" She asked.

"Still hiking." He groaned as he sat down at a nearby picnic table, grabbed a plastic cup and started filling it with water from a portable water cooler. "Don't worry, sweetie. He said he'd be fine. He has a Walkie your sister gave him."

And his powers, she thought to herself. "I'm not worried." She smiled. She watched him down his cup of water. He looked as if he was very tired and very thirsty. "Are you okay?" She asked as she placed the blanket on the table.

"Yeah, I'll be alright." She looked into his eyes and could tell something was off.

"Do you have chronic tiredness or sleepiness?" She asked him.

"I'm old; what do you think?" He chuckled.

She laughed with him, "Not what I meant. You just seem to be showing signs of fatigue. Do you experience any dizziness?"

"Yeah."

"Any sore or aching muscles?"

The man stood up, "Nah, I'm just getting tired. I'm going to head to my tent."

"Okay," Luz nodded. "Goodnight." She waved at him.

He used to have a lot more energy. Was his age finally getting to him? Then again, that story he told must weigh on him. I wonder why he keeps telling it all these years later.

She grabbed the blanket from the picnic table and headed back towards her tent.

Inside, she found Sara placing their suitcase on the floor of the tent next to the double flaps leading outside.

"Here's an extra blanket for tonight. I thought you'd like to have it. It'll get cold tonight. It's best to be prepared." Luz handed Sara the blanket who took it with a thank you.

"You should get in contact with Geiney. Uncle Greg came back alone. Geiney wanted to continue exploring." Luz explained.

Sara hummed, "Alright. I'll get in touch in a few minutes."

Luz opened her mouth, but hesitated speaking. "Can you watch out for Uncle Greg? He seemed more tired than he used to."

"Maybe the man was tired? He's gotta be if he's with Geiney." She tried some light humor.

Luz smiled, "I guess. It's sad to see him like that, though."

"Alright. I'll keep an eye on him. I'll make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble." Sara confirmed.

"Thank you." Luz began unpacking some of her things.

Sara began rummaging through one of the suitcases, "Anything you'd like to tell Geiney? He'll be live in ten seconds..." A turn of a knob on a Walkie transmitter and the radio whistled and hummed and gave off a medium pitched one-tone signal.

Geiney took off his pack when his radio whistled to life. Sara said she had left the radio on a standby setting so the Walkie batteries wouldn't drain as fast.

"North Wind, this is Brute Force. Do you copy? Over." Geiney quickly rummaged in the last pocket and took out the handheld metallic gray device.

"Brute Force, this is North Wind and Hello Kitty. I copy. Over." Geiney winked at Jasper.

Hello Kitty? Jasper didn't know to feel happy being included or feel insulted at being called a statue.

"Hello Kitty? Clever, dork. Hold on. Over." There was a pause, and then the radio whistled again.

"Do I have to say it? I feel goofy talking like this." Luz spoke into the Walkie.

A muffled voice was heard, "Just do it, sis. We're all doing it. Even the cat has a field name."

"North Wind this is- Med Kinetic. O-over." Luz sounded awkward over the radio.

"Med Kinetic?" Geiney repeated.

"It was better than Medical Widow." Sara put her two cents in.

Geiney shrugged, "What's up? Did you need me back at the camp? Over."

"No. We just wanted an update since Uncle Greg came back without you. Where are you right now? Over." Luz asked over the static of the radio.

"Well-" Geiney surveyed the area, "I'm about a quarter mile from the rock formation on the hiking maps we brought with us. I'm almost to the halfway point. Over"

There was a pause before Sara's voice was heard over the radio, "That trail is 10 miles. It's going to be difficult for you. Over."

Geiney thought he heard concern in her voice.

"I'll be fine, sis. I've got Jasper with me and I'm just using it for training. Can't be out of shape when handling, you know, tough challenges. Over." He stressed, hoping she would get his hint.

"Alright. But if you run into trouble radio us. Over."

"Will do! Thanks. North Wind and Hello Kitty over and out."

"Brute Force and Med Kinetic over and out."

Geiney strapped the walkie to his belt and knelt down to Jasper. "Let's take a jog, okay?"

Jasper meowed and stalked forward. Geiney bent down to tie his shoes before focusing on the rocks a distance away. He took a couple of deep breaths before he shot forward and started at a run, then slowing himself down to a jog.

They passed the rocks and had arrived at some tall brush looming over each side of the path. Jasper thought he had heard something and perked his ears up. He filtered the crunch of dirt from Geiney's footsteps and the sound of grass moving in the wind. A slight hiss and muttered jabber could be heard.

Jasper, now alert, looked around. There was nothing there. He quickly caught up to Geiney, but the rustle was heard again. He looked up at Geiney who didn't seem to be aware of the new sound. He was more focused on the road ahead of him.

Jasper's eyes narrowed. Something was near them. His heart skipped a beat. What if something was following them? A wild animal, perhaps? No. A wild animal would be louder. A predator!

Jasper meowed loudly. Geiney looked down. "Just a little more, Jasper. We can take a break in a little bit."

Jasper felt worried. His ears twitched. Whatever was hiding in the tall brush was getting louder. He turned to the source of a nearby shuffle. The tall grass righted itself. Jasper nearly freaked out. Something was near them now. He couldn't tell what it was but he knew enough to understand they were in danger. Something watched them.

Meow! Meow-hiss!

That caught Geiney's attention and he stopped. "What's wrong, boy?"

Then they heard it; the rustling of multiple steps. Geiney looked around and gasped. Tall brush all around them became disturbed. Multiple little sections drew closer towards the both of them.

"Uh oh. We're being surrounded?" He looked around. He understood that they couldn't outrun these animals another five miles. They would catch up to them long before then. Maybe they had a chance if they fought?

Suddenly, a creature emerged slowly from the tall grass. Geiney screamed and Jasper turned around and saw it too. Both boys' hearts nearly stopped.

From the tall brush crawled out a humanoid figure, naked and pale from head to toe. Their eyes were black and it bore an evil smile on its face.

"You lost?" The voice was scratchy, inhuman. "We f-found a new mask so e-easily…" Its voice failed to accentuate the right parts of the words, giving them a distorted and jilted delivery.

"Skinstrifer!" Geiney screamed.

Five other heads all similar poked their heads out and then the leader lunged. Geiney raised his hand up and it crashed head first into an invisible shield, sending it back toward the others.

"Run!" Geiney shouted! Both cat and teenager high-tailed it through the brush back to the trail.

"What the hell was that!?" Geiney cried to the cat. Jasper ran a few steps ahead of Geiney. The footsteps behind them quickened. Jasper turned his head in time to see one quickly approaching his charge.

Jasper yowled. Geiney turned his head to another group of creatures a mere three strides behind him. Geiney stopped and raised his shield before pushing with all his might. As the creatures smacked into his makeshift wall, Geiney forced them back, sending them into the small grass. They made funny squeals when they hit the ground some distance away. One of the creatures landed on its neck and the sickening gurgle told Geiney they weren't immune to physical damage like mass accelerated wind pushes.

As a second turned on Geiney from the brush, Geiney moved to the side and sent a gust of wind sharpened like a blade towards it, mimicking what Luke had demonstrated one day when he was showing off things he'd messed around with. The creature's face was cut by the power sent its way and crumpled to the ground.

Geiney looked around the field he was in and used another gust to push the entire brush down. He could see tens of these creatures moving towards him, now unbound by their attempted stealthy approach. Some had the remnants of leftover skin and clothes from previous victims attached to their bodies, to their teeth. The black holes in their head horrified Geiney. If he could defeat them, why did he still fear them so much?

Geiney reached into his side and picked up the Walkie as he started sprinting again.

"Mayday! Mayday! We've run into some trouble!" He gasped for air, "We're being attacked!" Geiney shoved the Walkie in his pocket, awaiting an answer.

The footsteps approached again. Jasper turned to see another creature approach fast. He turned around and launched himself full force at the creature. Geiney gasped and pivoted, losing his balance and tripping over himself.

"Jasper!" Cat and creature wrestled on the ground. Geiney had little time to react. Six more creatures split into two groups were nearly on top of them.

Geiney rotated his left arm and shot a torrent of concentrated wind to one group then shot another torrent to another group. The first group recovered from the attack and went for the kill. Geiney rotated his arm and shot another torrent of wind. The creatures were violently shoved to the ground at high speed, rolling on the ground. They came to a complete stop groaning in pain.

Jasper meowed, and gestured to run. Jasper looked a little scuffed up but otherwise fine. They continued running.

"Geiney! This is Luz! What's going on? Are you okay?" The radio buzzed and squealed. He grabbed the Walkie from his pocket.

"Help! We are being attacked by monsters! I think they're the things from Greg's story!" He shouted into the device.

"What? Geiney, that's impossible! It was just a scary story."

"Woman, we're magic! Have you seen the shit we do!?" Geiney grunted as he was hit from behind. He tripped and rolled on the ground. He got to his feet in time to raise his arm on a creature tackling him. This creature had a makeshift knife made from a rock. It tried to swipe at Geiney with its weapon, but Geiney held the creature at bay, feeling the knife catch on his clothes.

Jasper heard the impact and turned around. He yowled and ran to help Geiney out. Jasper tackled into the creature, knocking it off balance.

Jasper clawed and scratched at the creature, pinning his bladed feet into the gaping eyes of the monster. Geiney sat and moved away. He pinched his fingers closer together and shot a finer gust of wind that took care of the creature trying to attack Jasper. As the creature spasmed violently and fell to the ground, Jasper jumped onto Geiney's back, shivering in pain.

"Geiney! Geiney! Are you okay? What happened? Damn it!" The Radio squealed and static filled the silence. Geiney didn't bother with the device that got thrown around in the struggle.

Thank you, Geiney. Jasper vocalized his gratitude and Geiney rested a hand on his head before sprinting toward the campgrounds.

Nothing happened for a few minutes but the sounds of those creatures could be heard nearby. Geiney wheezed; his legs felt like they were on fire. His whole body felt sore and in pain. Geiney turned his head to see the creatures jump all around him. With Jasper cradled in his arms, he raised a hand. The creatures expected the attack and began clawing at the solid wall of wind. Geiney felt each impact on his arms as if he were holding an actual shield. The impacts were one after another, a cavalcade of pressure from every side.

Geiney grunted and moaned, the impacts taking a greater toll on him than he imagined. I can't fight against these numbers, he thought to himself. His hope grew dim and his fatigue grew stronger. The creatures began moving away from the middle where the shield was summoned and started flanking Geiney.

"If only I could make a shield surround me..." He muttered. The creatures separated into two groups. One group jumped, and Geiney raised a shield. They collided with the shield and the second group readied to jump. He turned and raised a shield with his one free hand. The creatures again collided and slid down. They grew smart and Geiney couldn't do anything except take a stride back each time but it wasn't enough. Eventually, they attacked simultaneously.

Geiney and Jasper were tackled to the ground. In the midst of the attack, Geiney saw Jasper land on his feet before being tackled by two creatures into the brush.

Geiney struggled to get up. He was scratched and bit. He threw a finer gust of wind towards three creatures. Then he threw another finer gust at the next group of three. The creatures were knocked away but recovered in a moment. They seemed to laugh as if they knew they would win by outnumbering him.

Geiney raised his arms summoning another shield. They attacked the shield in unison. Geiney struggled to maintain the shield. They may not have been that strong, but he knew numbers beat strength every single time. After they had finished toying with him, they had flanked him again.

This time, Geiney summoned his Razor-Disc attack Luke had taught him. Four creatures had been hit while two evaded the attack. Geiney shot a powerful gust of wind to the two creatures that collided into a boulder. They made a funny sound as they crashed into the boulder; they twitched but otherwise showed no signs of getting up.

Geiney turned to his side to see two slightly wounded creatures emerge from the brush.

"Jasper!" Geiney sounded defeated.

The creatures bolted forward and Geiney in a rage summoned his wind blades once more. One of the creatures barely dodged the attack. It jumped up and Geiney threw a wind ball. Then he threw another, followed by three more. The creature lay unmoving on the ground with the ground around the creature disturbed by the magical attacks.

He heard loud coughing and wheezing.

"Jasper!" He shot through the brush, feeling the sting of vines and thorns whip his face, his neck, and his arms. None of that mattered. He screamed when he saw a white light. A branch had poked him in the eye. He held his eye, feeling it sting and water. His foot didn't touch the ground and he fell down a riverside. He rolled and grunted as his body was unprepared for the fall. He fell near a stream of water. He turned to lie on his back; the world seemed to spin around him.

"Jasper..." He whimpered, raising his arms to his eyes. He began to whimper and cry. He became angry at himself. He was a failure. He couldn't even protect his familiar. Then he whipped his head at the source of a different sound.

He approached the sound, "Jasper? Buddy?" Geiney moved some tall brush aside and his hand holding his eye dropped.

On the ground was Lea in a fetal position holding his side. His shirt and pants were ripped beyond repair; most of his flesh was exposed through the torn fabric. He was bleeding pretty badly. His hands were caked in blood and dirt. His face was scratched up and his hair was matted with sweat, sand, and blood.

The injured boy looked up and their eyes met, and the injured boy's heart jumped from happiness. He was afraid Geiney had fallen to their numbers. Jasper gave a sad smile, "Owie... We took a beating out there, huh? They were tougher than your uncle made them-" He coughed and shivered, "-made them out to be."

Jasper shivered and convulsed. Geiney could not believe who he was seeing. "Lea..."

Before he could even process what was happening, he knelt down, put pressure on the wound and screamed Ailyn's name in a panic.

Grabbing the talkie, Lea whispered into it to the sisters. "Man down… Man down in the Hello Kitty Zone…"