Simon woke up with a crick in his neck. He slowly leaned up and popped it before standing and turning on a lamp. Baz grunted and turned away, yawning and stretching.
"What was that for?" He whined, rubbing his eyes.
"Sorry" whispered Simon, laughing. "But it's 2:00, Baz. Maybe we should actually go to bed"
"Ugh, fine" huffed Baz, jumping up. The two shuffled awkwardly to bed and collapsed into the sheets.
They had only been asleep for a few minutes before a frantic knocking from their door woke them. Simon leaned over and patted Baz on the arm, as if saying
'Your turn'.
Baz groaned and sat up, walking down their hall. Baz looked though their peep whole only to see a bright red Penny standing at their door. Baz quickly undid the locks and pulled the door open, cringing at the wave of snow blowing in. Penny ran inside, shivering hard.
"My god, Penny, what's wrong?" Cried Baz, slamming the door shut. Now that she was standing in the light, Baz could see that she looked truly scared.
"It's-" she started, but was cut off by Simon trudging down the hall. He stopped abruptly when he saw Penny standing there.
"God Pen, what's wrong?" He asked, rushing forward.
"She was about to say" grumbled Baz, grumpy because he was still half asleep. And cold.
"I-It's Agatha. She showed up at my apartment, talking about someone attacking her!" She rushed out, doing little hops to warm herself up.
"Who?" Asked Simon and Baz in unison.
"I don't know!" Cried Penny. "She wouldn't say! She just kept repeating 'go get Simon, go get Simon' over and over"
"Okay" said Baz, running a hand through his messy hair. "Okay, give us a minute" he said, the two of them walking quickly to their bedroom and pulling on jeans, shirts, jackets, shoes, and more jackets. The three rushed out and piled into Penny's car, before taking off down the road. They were on the road for about ten minutes before Penny pulled into a parking spot. She killed the engine and the three rushed up a flight of stairs to Penny's apartment. Penny reached into her purse and fumbled with the key for a moment and finally threw open the door. The three stood in the darkness as Penny reached for the light. She turned it on to reveal... nothing. Her apartment was perfectly in place, not an Agatha in sight.
"Agatha?" Penny hissed, squinting in the sudden light. A door down the hall opened and Agatha emerged. She had taken a shower, but even from here Simon and Baz could see that she had scratches on her face and a black eye. They cringed.
"Agatha" breathed Penny, walking to her. She had borrowed a shirt and pair of sweats from Penny, and her hair was tied back in a long, wet ponytail. Baz clenched his jaw. Last time he had seen her, she had been running away, leaving Simon to fight the Mage, the Humdrum... she had left him to die. Simon must have felt Baz's anger and reached out for his hand. Baz let him. Simon gave it a quick squeeze before letting go, walking to where Penny and Agatha were on the couch. He crouched in front of them, taking Agatha's hand. She looked up as if only now noticing he was here. She choked out a small sob and lunged forward, embracing him tightly.
"Oh Simon, I'm so sorry! I just left you back at the Chapel and I knew the Mage would try to kill you, or the Humdrum would, but all I could think of was getting out. And then I ran more, and I left for California without even saying anything! I'm so so so sorry!" She sobbed, tears falling from her eyes. She was even a pretty crier. This was not the time for Agatha to appear back, bringing in her drama and tears. Baz narrowed his eyes at her. Mainly at her and Simons intertwined fingers. She and penny seemed pretty chummy, but what is she stayed with them, and she and Simon- Baz shook his head. Simon wouldn't. He would never.
"Baz!" Called Simon, breaking him out of his trance.
"What?" He asked, startled.
"I asked if you wanted any tea" said Simon flatly, gesturing to the kettle.
"Oh, sure. Thanks" said Baz, blinking a few times. Simon rolled his eyes and smiled, pouring four cups. He added a few lumps of sugar to Baz's, knowing he had a sweet tooth. He carried out the tea and he and Baz sat on the floor, facing Agatha and Penny.
"So" cooed Penny, stroking her hair softly. "Who attacked you, Agatha?"
Agatha took a few breaths before breathing out a single name.
"Nicodemus"
Baz dropped his cup. Simon spluttered and coughed out his sip of tea. Penny gasped. Baz tightened his jaw and narrowed his eyes. He stooped slowly and picked up the shattered pieces of china, cursing when he cut himself. He then preceded to clean up the entire mess, everyone watching him in silence. Finally, Baz sat in the large plush chair that Penny had bought for 20$ from her neighbor. He crossed his long legs and folded his hands in his lap. They all stared at him.
"Did he say why?" He asked in a deadly tone. Simon moved to stand behind him, placing his hands on his narrow shoulders. Agatha nodded after a moment of thinking.
"He kept trying to bite me, but I eventually got my hands on a knife and stabbed his leg. He fled, but said 'next time I'll get my revenge. For her'. Then he was... gone" she said, stuttering a few times. Baz placed his head in his hands and nodded in understanding. Simon looked at him in bewilderment.
"You know what that means?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed.
"You guys don't? It's really quite obvious" stated Baz into his hands.
"Can you stop making us feel stupid and just spit it out?" Hissed Agatha.
"He blames you! He blames you for letting Ebb die" said Baz, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"B-but I didn't! That was the mage!" She cried, desperately looking around. Baz stood and started pacing, hand on his chin.
"Vampires are... envious" he said awkwardly. "Something small won't set them off, but something big, like a dead twin, will set them on a course for demolition" he explained, still pacing.
"But I didn't kill her!" Shrieked Agatha.
"Do you really think that matters? He wants someone to blame, and the first person in line is dead. You're the runner up" he said in a low tone. Agatha sat back and Penny stared at the floor.
"How did you get here?" Asked Penny in a too-sweet voice.
"Hopped on the first plane over." She said blankly.
"Ah..." nodded Penny. Baz was standing against the wall, his head leaning against it with his arm covering it.
"I'm going" he said after a moment. Simon and Penny both jumped up.
"I-I'll drive you!" She said, frantically searching for her keys. Baz held up his hand.
"I'll walk"
"Baz" said Simon, looking nervous.
"Snow, I'll meet you at home" he said, zipping up his jacket, closing the door behind him.
