"What do you mean Eagan had that calling too?"

When Zeke told Mick that he and Eagan shared a calling, she didn't believe him at first. But she knew Zeke wouldn't make things up, so she turned to another feeling: wanting to throw up. And it wasn't just because of the pit in her stomach.

She wasn't Eagan's biggest fan, and isn't even sure he could be trusted. But then again, the callings always brought people together for a reason. And at least 99% of the time, they were good reasons.

She desperately hoped this wouldn't be the 1%.

"Well not exactly." Eagan interjected, pulling Mick out of her head space. She couldn't remember how long she had been thinking for, and barely even remembered the conversation in the first place. "I heard these two voices tell me to help Zeke find The Black Crow."

Zeke smirked. Eagan said he didn't want to tell him what the calling was talking about. He must've been so embarrassed Zeke thought while he held in a laugh. He wanted to throw a sarcastic punch so bad, but he refrained. He had to be nice. But oh, sweet sweet torture. "So that's what it said." He scoffed.

Eagan lowered his brow, sharply pointing in his direction. "Don't push it Olaf." The line between funny and threatening beginning to blur. But it didn't throw them off, because that was Eagan for you. He never knew when to stop, and couldn't help but to push buttons and instigate.

Mick squinted at Eagan, shooting him a glare from her spot at the table. He was funny, she could give him that.

"Have you seen any visions of The Black Crow?" She asked, feeling like she was grasping. But talking it out and covering all the bases was better than nothing. But what Mick really didn't expect, was what Zeke said next.

"Actually." He spoke. "I did."

Mick turned to him, her gaze becoming more and more puzzled. She thought she was grasping, but she was actually onto something instead.

"I had that dream again."

"The one with the girl in the field?" She abruptly replied. Her anxiety was skyrocketing, and she didn't know how to calm herself down.

"I just didn't get a chance to tell you because you ended up leaving this morning."

Mick looked at the floor, the expression on her face turning somber. She wished that she made different choices this morning. If she wasn't so stubborn, so caught up in filing her mind with work, they wouldn't be doing this right now. Her car would be fine, and her fear of driving wouldn't have been re-ignited.

she closed her eyes, trying to regain the strength to carry on with the conversation, making a point to look at Zeke as soon as she opened them.

"But you saw him?" She asked.

"Well, not exactly. " Mick's face dropped at Zeke's reply. Why did their life have to be so full of questions and dead ends? Maybe she wasn't onto something after all. For instance, how was Zeke getting callings in the first place? She never understood the reason, nor why he was getting them so intensely. He served his purpose. Doesn't he deserve to live his life in peace?

Zeke cleared his throat. "I saw his figure. He was wearing all black, looming over that girl I keep seeing."

Mick put her head in her hands, as Zeke scanned his brain for more. Now she was really gonna throw up.

He stood up suddenly, letting himself inhale sharply. He was remembering something Mick thought. "And the girl." He said, fear rattling his voice. "She dissipated right in front of me."

Mick met his eyes, scanning the fear in his words. "She dissipated? What, like she was dying?"

Zeke exhaled, letting go of a long breath. He wished he could say more, but this was where the calling ended. " I don't know. But I think she's a current or future victim."

That was when Mick realized something. "But the girl isn't a passenger." She said as she stood up from the table. "What would The Black Crow even want with her?"

Eagan lifted his head, looking up at them. Really looking. He had been zoned out for a while now, intently listening to the conversation while simultaneously trying to make sense of what was going on. So what Zeke said was just now registering in his brain.

He lifted his head up farther, his fingers coming to his chin in thought. "What girl?" He asked, cutting through the silence. His index finger making it's way up and down the stubble on his face as he contemplated Zeke's answer.

"I don't know. Just a young girl I keep seeing a girl in this vision." Zeke's answer was as vague as they come, but that was all he really knew.

Eagan perked up, but not in a sly, cocky kind of way. Things were finally piecing things together. "I think…" He paused, trying to find the right words to say. "I think I heard her voice in my calling."

Zeke put his hand to his mouth, letting it slide down to his chin. "I mean you had to have if our callings are connected." He replied. "What did her voice sound like?"

Eagan searched his mind. He could see images he's only seen once for years, practically like an indent in his brain. But he wasn't great with voices. "Umm. It was soft, sweet. But she sounded afraid." He tried to describe it better, but that's all he could remember.

Zeke's face turned in surprise, and that's when something clicked. He was finally starting to get it... at least he hoped so. "That's her. And you heard two voices right?" He asked as he paced around the kitchen. Whenever they were onto something with callings, he was always unable to keep still.

"That has be the two people we keep seeing." Mick jutted out.

Eagan oddly smiled at her comment, realizing what that implied. She had gotten those callings too. "So you've had this one too blondie?"

Mick wanted to throat punch him. Of course she's had it, how else would she know about the girl? Anger rose inside of her, but she desperately tried to push it down and give him some grace. "Yeah. But I haven't had one like Zeke's in a while. Zeke's only ever seen the girl, and I've seen the boy."

Eagan chimed in, trying to match her calling with his. "Deeper voice, more assertive and confident?"

Mick nodded like it was obvious. "Yeah, exactly."

"So this means… what?" Asked Eagan.

Zeke sighed, like he was about to give an answer everyone was tired of hearing. Well, at least he and Mick were.

"It means we have to save them... as a team."

His voice felt like a knife cutting through plastic. The answer to these callings were so concealed, yet had to be so obvious at the same time.

The callings always brought people together, so it was only a matter of time before they had to become a team. How could they have not seen this before?

Ben was definitely not gonna like this.

You could practically feel Eagan's reluctance looming in the room like a spirit. "And find The Black Crow… together."


"Ok. Well what do we already know about The Black Crow?"

They brought Jared and Drea in on what they found, hoping they could help… but quietly. Despite Jared's non-stop insisting, they decided it would be best to get rid of the police patrol outside.

This way, they could catch The Black Crow off guard, especially if he was planning to strike at the house again.

"We know he was wearing all black in Zeke's calling." Mick replied, turning over to her husband.

Drea and Jared both shot him a look. "All I really saw was was his figure. He looked to be somewhat tall. Possibly muscular, but I'm not sure." Zeke felt disappointed with the information he gave. It wasn't much... but at least it was something.

Drea raised her brow, suspicion bubbling inside of her. There was clearly something they were missing. She wished she had more evidence, more clues, anything. Something to lead them in the right direction. "Ok. Well, is there anything else we know?" She asked.

"Hold on." Zeke straightened himself, standing up from the chair he was in. As he stood, it wasn't long before he began to pace again. He always did this when he was onto something Mick thought, as she watched him practically create a draft. But then again, she was one to talk, because she literally did the exact same thing.

"He left a note exactly 2 days, and 8 hours after the first one."

The room went silent. This wasn't happening... this couldn't be happening Mick thought. They stayed in silence until Eagan's voice broke through. "You did the math in your head that quick?" He asked, half annoyed and half impressed.

"Really?" Jared asked out of anger. "That's what you're worried about?"

They all shot him a look after Jared's response. They find out The Black Crow has impeccable timing, and he's worried about how fast Zeke did math? "Sorry." He apologized as he lifted up his hands. "I'll read the room next time."

Jared rolled his eyes. "So you think he'll leave another one in another two days and eight hours?" It was like talking to a brick wall. Everyone was silent, intent of finding an answer. "Do you think this person is a passenger then? I mean if they leave notes every 2 days and 8 hours, isn't that somewhat similar to the Death Date?"

Michaela's head spun as she tried to form some sort of logical explanation. "Maybe he's trying to replicate the Death Date somehow?" She spoke out. "God, I'm starting to sound like Ben." She nodded her head and smiled. But that wasn't even the worst thing... she was staring to think like Ben.

She spent way too much time with that dingus.

"Like a copycat type thing?" Drea asked, hoping someone would bounce an idea off of her comment. Wasn't long before Zeke spoke up. "Maybe he's leaving notes to symbolize a Death Date?" She was having a hard time believing all of this if she was being honest. Looking back, it felt so far fetched. But knowing Michaela, this was her life. It was all a little far fetched if you ask her.

Zeke stopped pacing, making everyone turn their attention to him. "I'm not sure. But it's possible. And maybe…"

"Maybe what?" Asked Drea. The room went silent again as Zeke stood still.

"Maybe we will find out what he's planning." His words felt like a stab at Michaela's chest. It made her feel defenseless. Hopeless. Why did she always have to be the target?

"You mean find out how he's gonna take me out?' She bit her lip, everyone in the room not knowing how to respond.

Zeke sighed, trying to figure out what to say, and how to reassure her. She had a hard time listening to reason when she spiraled like this. It was like the darkness swallowed her whole. "Mick." He whispered, reaching out his hand to intertwine it with hers. "We'll get him."

"Will we?!" She yelled, fear practically seeping out of her pores. She walked over to the couch, letting herself sink down and her hands cover her face. She never broke down like this out of nowhere Zeke thought. That was when he felt it.

She was mortified.

"Mick. Talk to me."

She lifted her face, tears beginning to fill her eyes. Even though she was reluctant, as soon as he asked what was wrong it came out like word vomit. Ironic since she's been wanting to puke all day. "I'm afraid Zeke." She scanned his face for comfort, seeing instant empathy fill his eyes. "I'm afraid."

Everyone stared from across the room, Michaela's response completely shocking them. Well, except for Drea. She was happy to see Mick was finally talking to Zeke about it, but it didn't make her feel much better. Seeing her so vulnerable made her emotional too.

Zeke exhaled, his heart practically shattering as he saw her like this. "Afraid of what?" He asked softly, careful not to break her further.

"Of losing you."

Tears began to stream down her face even harder, all of the feelings that she's been burying inside spilling out all at once. "Whether that means me dying, or you, I'm afraid."

Zeke reached his hands out, holding her face in his palms. He hoped she could feel the peace inside of him. He prayed she could feel the calm radiating from his body.

"You will never lose me Michaela Beth, do you hear me?" She nodded, letting out a sob as she collapsed into his arms. He pulled her closer into his chest, letting her cry without shame. They stayed like that for a while until she felt alright again. But he could've kept holding her until his arms gave out.

How could she ever deserve him?

"We can go at this tomorrow." Zeke spoke as she looked into his eyes. They were soft, so blue, yet still so full of pain. And he just desperately wanted it all to go away. "Go upstairs and get some rest."

Michaela didn't have the energy to protest. He was right. She was burnt out and absolutely exhausted.

They said goodbye to Jared and Drea, while Eagan stayed behind. Zeke kissed Mick goodnight, and watched her lovingly as she made her way up the stairs. Once he knew everything was settled, he went back over to Eagan.

"I'm sorry dude."

"No." Eagan said. "Don't apologize. I was an ass before." Zeke was taken aback by his response. Maybe the callings brought them together for this exact reason. For Eagan to reconcile with them, and turn things around. After all, it worked for Zeke.

"I had no idea that-"

"That Michaela is a person with feelings, who is just as jarred by the callings and scared of the future as we are?"

Eagan awkwardly smiled. "Yeah. you hit the nail on that one." He exhaled, giving Zeke an apologetic look. "Look man, I hope we can work together… if you'll have me on your team that is."

Zeke smiled, shaking Eagan's hand. "Yeah, I guess that's alright. Welcome to team Stone/Landon!"

But suddenly, things went dark.


Zeke shot his eyes open, his surroundings barren and dark.

He was tied to a chair, his body sore. He realized as he looked down at his hands, his body was bloody too. It felt as if he was just hit in the head with something hard. He must've tried to fight back.

"Hello!" He yelled out, using all the strength he had left.

'Hello!" He thrashed around trying to escape the grip of the chains wrapped around his arms.

In his efforts, he noticed someone else next to him.

"Eagan." He whispered, panic rising in his body. He tried to reach out to him, but his hands were tied so tight he could barely lift them.

"Eagan!"

He was unconscious and unresponsive, and by the looks of it beaten pretty badly. His body was limp and lifeless.

"Hello!" Zeke yelled once more, shaking back and forth in the chair. The only sound he could hear... the sound of the chains rattling around with each thrust of his body.

He was alone.

How long had he been here?

Suddenly he was filled with panic, his brain immediately jumping to the thing he loved most once he was somewhat grounded.

Where the hell was Mick?


Oh my gosh, Zeke and Eagan are kidnapped! And where do you think Mick is?

Haha, hey guys! Comin' atchu with chapter 8! Sorry for the cliffhanger, I had to do it lol. Sooo, what'd you think of this chapter? Decided to go for it and put it out today to make up for the long stretch between 6 and 7. Also everyone was telling me they were desperate and needed it, so here we are!

As always, let me know what you think here or via Twitter! Give me your guesses on who The Black Crow is too! Since we know it's not Eagan, what's your next guess?

Love you all!

-The Color Gray