I force my fear down as I look at the photo on my screen. Charlie ... eye socket crushed, black and blue, with blood gushing from her nose. And Jane, with her sadistic little smile, taking a selfie while holding my mom's own gun to her temple. And, just out of focus, is something else. A yellow converse shoe, covered in blood. Th-there's a second hostage?

Don't let anyone know you've seen this, pet. Wait for my call.

I sit up and turn on the TV, hoping and praying that Alex and Jasmine will need to leave soon. They'll hear her over the phone, they listen to each other's conversations all the time. I know that they would ruin any chances of Charlie being saved, no matter how good their intentions are. The day passes slowly, aching in every atom in my skin until I'm drinking the Monster not for the flavor, but to keep myself from falling to the floor.

I stand and pace, Jasmine attempting to mellow my mood as the sun rises for a new day.

"Beau, it isn't healthy for you to stay awake for so long," she says, walking up to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know you're scared for her, but we will find your mother. No pendeja vampire is going to take down Chief Swan, anyway. I've seen her shoot the head off a newborn."

But Jane isn't a newborn. She's more skilled. More controlled. And she has my mom.

Alex emerges from the bedroom, strangely with a new outfit on. Overalls and a floral button up. Strange ensemble, but I give him credit for pulling it off. He draws, his brows furrowed. Jasmine and I exchange a look before creeping to her side to watch it.

"Something new, Alex?"

"She's back in with the VCR, but I can see more of the room now." A square room with low ceilings appears from the mess of scribbles. Dark patterned carpet lay under paneled, out-of-date walls, and a massive window on the wall facing south. On the western wall is a door that leads to the living room, and from this perspective the TV and VCR balance on a small entertainment center in the corner. And the shape of a woman, of Jane, reclined on the sofa curved in front of the TV.

She's in Phoenix. The house, empty but still in my fathers name, is his. I keep myself from saying that as Alex and Jasmine have a quiet, quick-lipped conversation. Then Jasmine lays her hand on my shoulder, and instantly my body goes down, back on our own couch.

"Beau," Alex says slowly through the brain fog. "We're going to go back to Forks. Edythe is going to meet us at the California border and will drive you up there. Once we're back, you and her are going to go somewhere completely out of the way until we can settle this mess."

"I ... no," I shake my head slowly, trying to sit up. Jasmine's hand stays strong, and my arms give out. "No, I don't like this. I need to help. I can't just sit on the sidelines with everyone else fighting for me."

"Beau, you're the most in danger of all of us. It wouldn't be right of us to let you go on the frontline. Not anymore." He looks at Jasmine, and a fog of lethargy crashes over me. My eyes close without my permission. I groan and force them open, sending Jasmine back a couple feet away from me, nearly crashing into the wall.

"I don't want to sleep, I don't want to leave. This isn't fair to you all or me." I keep my good hand raised, seeing the shield rise from it. Jasmine stands on her feet and sighs, grabbing Alex's hand.

"We'll go get some supplies for your trip. Look ... I'm sorry, but your choice in this vanished when Jane did. This isn't anything against you, no matter how it may feel that way. We all just want you safe."

Alex opens his mouth to protest, but closes it when Jasmine squints down at him. They put on sunglasses and their jackets, taking the car and my only choice for an escape vehicle with them. I only have a moment to consider throwing every pillow at the door and then barricading myself inside the room before my phone rings.

The contact is Home Base — Rene's old house. I answer it.

"Hello?"

"Say nothing until I tell you too, alright?" Jane's tenor rings through me, the tone making every hair on me rise and my blood cool. I gasp, and she chuckles. "Since you're now aware of your situation, I figured I might as well reach out to you. So please, do exactly as I say, and I may just let your mother live. Only answer 'yes' or 'no' to me, alright?"

"Yes..." I say, my voice a harsh, growling whisper.

"Ooh, I can see this is going to be tricky. Tell me, are you alone?"

"Yes."

"Wonderful, we won't have to play any games here. I was ready to wreck your car, take you, do as I wished, and die happily by the Olympic coven's hands. But then ... ah, the damn shooter's scent ripped through the air. Her station was a little too close to your friend's house, you see. And taking her in her sleep was a breeze."

I stay silent, letting my lips quiver and the tears roll down my cheeks.

"You know, you're oddly good at obeying orders. I like that in a boy."

"Fuck you..."

"Ah-ah, pet. You don't want to make me angry from a few hundred miles away. Without her weapon, your mother is a mere toy to me. Isn't that right, officer?" There's a wet snap in the background, and a loud, muffled scream. Mom! I bite my lip hard, barely squeaking out a sob. "Are you going to behave now, Beau?"

"Y-yes."

"Wonderful." She shifts on the other end of the line. "Now, you're going to slip from your guardians somehow and fly your pretty little ass down to Phoenix. I'm honestly amazed how simple it was for me to get your records ... a click here, a search there, and boom. I even know about the mole on your stomach. Are you following me still?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. I know it won't be easy, but know if I even think you have company, your mother's head will be ready for you — on a pike." Her overly friendly voice laughs. "So, you'll go to Phoenix, get a cab or an Uber, and go to your father's house. There will be a cellphone and a number on the counter for you. Call it and we'll go from there. Oh, and leave your cellphone with the dynamic duo, would you kindly? Chances are they can track you using it. Sound good to you, sweet thing?"

"..."

"Answer me, Bo boy."

"Yes."

"I'm so glad to hear that."

"Wait..."

"Beau, the rules."

"Who is the second person? Please, that's all I want to know."

Silence. And then an evil laugh. "I found someone more to my taste is all."

The call drops and I let out a wail. I grab my head, bunching my hair in my hands, and cry out to no one. Not being heard, not being seen, until my throat is raw, and my face is drenched and blotchy. Then my head clears, and I go straight to the bedroom. I grab everything that belongs to me — wallet, passport, pepper spray — and toss it in my backpack. Then a detour.

Jasmine and Alex can't see my face like this... they'll know something is up.

I zip my bag and grab a change of underwear and shirt. A shower will hide all evidence. The moment the hot water hits my back, reason returns to me. Slipping away from a pair of vampires will not be easy. There's a chance I could leave now, before they return, but then they would start searching for me instantly. And if we're driving to the border, I can't just bail out and run.

I slip my hand out of the shower and dry it, searching for the nearest airport. Just over 50 miles ... can't walk that far, but they can outrun me.

Even so, this is my only opportunity. I emerge and dry myself quickly, looking like a bum in my old sleeping tank-top and mud-stained jeans. I brush my hair into a ponytail and go back to the living room, putting on my shoes with my backpack beside me.

I pick up the hotel phone and dial. "Hello, Yellow Cab? Can you send a car to the McCloud Mountain Lodge? My name is Beaumont Swan, I'll be catching a ride from there. Thank you!" Ten minutes. Will they be here by then...?

I snap my fingers and go to the bathroom again, tossing in all my dirty clothes and turning the water and fan on. I lock the door before closing it from the outside. My scent is there, and an excuse for me not to reply to them. I start for the door and stop... something just... I have to do one more thing.

I pick up a blank hotel stationary and write on the envelope "Give to Edythe — Beau". With that taken care of, I spill my heart out on the page.

Edythe,

I'm sorry. I know this is going to piss you off, but I can't let you get hurt because of me. She's got Charlie, she has a human. She'll kill them both if anyone is with me. I don't know if I'll ever see you again, but if I don't, I want you to know that I love you, and I've loved every moment with you. Being your friend, being yours, and learning about your world. Hopefully, I'll be able to return to it.

Don't be mad at Jasmine and Alex. They don't know my plan, and if I succeed at escaping them, it'll be a miracle. Thank them for me. And please keep an eye on Alex. He won't talk about it, but I know what Jane wanted to do to him — I saw it all.

And please, don't send anyone after her, or come yourself. That's what she wants. She wants an excuse to kill my mom. I can't bear the idea of you being hurt for no reason, but especially if it's because of me. That's all I ask of you.

I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me.

Maybe we'll meet again in my next life.

Beau.

I slip the sealed letter under the bathroom door, knowing they will have to break it down to find it, and that it will save me some time to get to the airport. I breathe in, breathe out, and head toward the end. I hope to high heaven that Edythe listens to me this time.

Once the taxi arrives, I'm in the backseat and asking the portly lady to take me to Redding Municipal. Then I close my eyes and let the pain keep me focused on my goal.

I'm going to kill Jane, or die trying.