The path was desolate

The tires of the car bounced with the impact of each rock on the road. A mix of gravel and sand.

This time, the dream was different... again. What now?

The sunflowers were dead. The sky was dark, a tangible evil lurking like a spirit in the emptiness.

And this time... Zeke was driving?

He tried to wake himself up, but felt paralyzed in this world. There was a force drawing him here.

A strong one too.

He suddenly slammed his brakes, seeing the young blonde girl face to face with a shadow figure.

It wasn't Jace. And it wasn't a demon.

The figure was wearing a black hood. Zeke tried to make it out, and by the build it was clearly a tall man. His figure slim, possibly muscular.

The Black Crow

He let the door of his truck close with a ricochet due to the force.

"Hey!" He yelled to the girl.

"Hey!"

The figure waved his hand, like a knife cutting through the fabric of time.

The girl turned to Zeke, her face covered in ashes, and her body beginning to dissipate. She turned to him. But her turning her face didn't relieve him. It scared him.

Her eyes stared into his, like a deep current pulling him out to sea. Whatever color they were before was drained from her body. They were now black as the night sky.

The girl walked towards him. but the closer she got, the less her could see her features.

She grabbed his hand, feeling the life in her fade away as a glow erupted from his palm. She whispered softly, her tone like a last breath. "Find The Black Crow. Save me."

Zeke sat up in bed, putting his head in his hands, trying to feel reality again. He closed his eyes tightly, sensing the room round him. Trying to feel safe again.

The girl he was seeing is a victim. She has to be.

But the questions begs, current victim... or future?

But what would The Black Crow want with this girl? She's not a passenger.

Zeke's thoughts scrambled in his head. He never had a moment where things made sense.

Well, he shouldn't say never. Marrying Michaela made perfect sense.

He turned his head, attempting to shut his brain off. He couldn't think anymore. He didn't want to. Michaela was luckily sound asleep, relief filling his body as he looked over at her. She had only fallen asleep a couple of hours ago, and she had to get up soon.

It's like the fatigue she'd been feeling completely reversed. For the last couple of days since the incident, she hasn't been able to close her eyes without anxiety.

You would think having 24 hour police surveillance watching you, and patrol right outside of your home would give you peace of mind.

He was damn wrong.

But he knew he was right about one thing. He had to find The Black Crow.

He just didn't know where to look.


"I told you, stay home." Zeke pleaded with his wife, stubborn as ever. Her mood only declining since she woke up. She was exhausted, zombie like. She couldn't work like that, but he knew she'd still try.

She sighed, pouring some coffee into a thermos, knowing full well it was just gonna make her anxiety worse. "I have like 4 sick days left." She said as she put the lid on top, and took a sip. She could already feel her heart beating faster. "I have to go in."

"What happened to keeping a low profile?" Zeke interjected, sensing her uneasiness.

"I'm at the precinct. It's not like I'm out in the field." They both paused. Mick sensing the moment of silence and looking up at her husband. His eyes were full of concern, and every time he gave her that look, she could barely hold it together. He was her person. And every time he asked what was wrong, or even gave her the look, she sucked at hiding her feelings.

"It's desk duty babe."

Zeke instantly sense her hesitation, and desperately wanted to protest her further, but he didn't have the energy.

He gave her a look. "As long as you-"

"-Stay at my desk, I know." She breathed out, stopping herself from going deeper into her thoughts.

"I need to occupy my mind. I feel so-"

"Trapped." He interrupted, giving her the right word to complete her thought.

She nodded, rounding the corner from the island to the dining table. "I just need to do something with myself."

He knew she had to go into work for that reason. She's awful at concealing how she feels, he thought.

He caught her gaze. "No, I get it. Go."

What did she ever do to deserve him?

She opened her mouth to protest, almost asking if he was totally sure. But instead, she said something completely different. "I'll be home by 4."

She leaned in, giving him a kiss.

"Love you." He said.

"Love you."

But before she could make it out the door, Zeke noticed something. He raised his brow, quickly walking to the threshold of the living room.

"Hey!" He yelled out, catching her as she was halfway out the door.

Mick turned her head. He could tell something was off about her even by the way she turned to him. "You feeling ok?" He asked. "You've barely touched your coffee."

"I'm fine." She responded with a wave of her hand. "Just kinda nauseous, that's all."

He nodded. "Ok. I won't hold you up then."

"Love you." She whispered with a wink, closing the door behind herself.

Zeke instantly felt guilt. She was so anxious, her stomach was in knots. She could barely sleep without some sort of calling or nightmare. It felt like someone placed a 50 pound weight on his chest.

Seeing the love of his life in pain, made his stomach sick. He had to fix this.

He had to find The Black Crow.

No more uncertainty. He was just gonna start, even if it would lead him astray.

He pulled out his phone, deciding to reach out to the person they suspected in the first place.

He got the number from Ben, and called him right away.

Voicemail. Damnit.

"Hey man, it's Zeke. Meet me in the park at 2. I have some questions."


"Whoaaa dude."

Drea's voice broke through the silence, drawing attention to Mick immediately. Everyone's heads turned as she walked by, their eyes following her to Mick's desk before turning back around to their business.

"Umm. Hello to you too." Mick said playfully with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, clearly concerned.

"Desk duty."

Drea scoffed. "Someone is out to kill you, and you're still working? Teach me your ways, oh wise one."

They both laughed, Mick squinting her eyes trying not to feel wounded.

"But no seriously." Drea added. "What are you doing here?"

Mick looked down, trying not to burst into tears. She's been on the verge all morning. Her emotions completely out of whack.

"Trying to occupy my mind I guess."

Drea tilted her head in sympathy. Mick always worked her ass off, and rarely showed emotion on the job. One of the greatest cops she's known. But seeing her like this, vulnerable and uncertain, took her back.

"What's wrong?" She asked, letting her hands rest against Mick's desk. Her back against the edge and her head turned.

"I'm just scared." Mick whispered.

She had a hard time sharing her feelings, but this had been building up for a while. For so long she's had to be strong and suck up the callings. But it's becoming too much now.

"I'm more scared than I've ever been, and I don't know why."

Drea reached out her arm, grabbing her wrist and softly commanding Mick's attention. She scanned Mick, fragility covering her face. "It's because this time, you have more to lose."

Drea was exactly right. Her words stabbed at Michaela like knives. She had so much more to lose. And the thought of not having Zeke around anymore because of this killer, was eating away inside of her. Even after beating his death date she still had lingering fears.

What if he just... died? What if this killer got to him first somehow?

If she lost Zeke, she'd lose herself too. And without him, there's no point of living.

"You're right. Without Zeke I-." She couldn't even finish her sentence. "You know what, I should probably head home."

Drea's face changed. She was surprised. But it quickly changed to understanding.

"Go. I'll cover for you."

Mick nodded, grabbing her coat from the back of her chair.

"Tell him." Drea spoke. "Express your feelings. You know he'll understand."

Mick smiled, a droplet of joy cutting through the fear. "You know, I'm not sure I'll even have to explain."


"Thanks for meeting me. I appreciate it, Eagan." Did he really? Because all he wanted was to throat punch the guy.

The park was pretty empty, and they found a secluded area with a bench.

Perfect for confronting the possible criminal who's after your wife.

"Yeah. What's up?" His reply was cold, lifeless.

"I just have some questions, that's all."

Zeke pulled out the note, slipping it into Eagan's hands.

"There's someone named The Black Crow after my wife." Eagan chuckled, but Zeke carried on, clecnhing his fist under the table. Of course Eagan would think this was a joke. What an asshole. "and I've been having callings about stopping him… I just don't know who he is."

Eagan laughed, not taking him seriously. For a moment, Zeke wondered why he even bothered. Men like Eagan made him not want to be sober. But then again, anything for Mick. In the silence, Eagan's face changed. "Really?" He scoffed. "What? You don't think it's me or something?" he laughed, again not taking Zeke seriously.

Zeke lifted his eyes up, locking with Eagans. He was dead serious, his face making Eagan swallow hard.

"Huh. You think it's me."

Zeke leaned in closer to his face, restraining himself from going any further. "What else am I supposed to think?"

"Oh come on Zekey, you really think I'd go after Michaela Stone like this guy? If I had the chance to off her, I'd do it right away. No games."

Zeke grabbed his arm. Everything in him was setting with rage, and It took all of his strength to not grab him from across the table and squeeze his throat.

"Was. This. You?" Zeke asked through gritted teeth.

"No!" Eagan yelled, yanking his arm free of Zeke's grasp. "It's not me."

Zeke stopped, looking down at his feet. "What. Don't tell me. You think it's Adrian now or something? Eagan rambled on just to be a jerk.

But Zeke didn't respond. "Zeke. Hello?" He asked, noticing he was looking down at the grass below them.

"What is it now?" Eagan looked down too, and instantly knew exactly what Zeke was staring at.

Zeke picked it up, his heart sinking as he lifted the crumpled pages. Eagan loomed over his shoulder, reading for himself.

"You have bad taste if you think it's Eagan Mr. Landon. You're getting colder."

-The Black Crow


Hey guys! This took a little longer as we were settling into our temporary home for the next month while we wait to move! Also I was blocked on how to start the chapter, but luckily I pushed through. Not much action, but we're getting into the good stuff. Prepare yourself for the next couple chapters! Hehehe.

Let me know what you think here or via twitter! (BTW, this chapter is dedicated to my fellow Olaf's Children LOVE YALL)

Chapter 7 will be out soon!

-The Color Gray