As I walked, I felt somebody behind me. Glancing behind me, I spotted a man in a suit. Shit. He looked like one of the government guys that showed up to my door. But not….I didn't care. It wasn't safe. I kept walking, then took a sharp turn into a junkyard.

I walked further into it, then stopped. Footsteps. The were slow, relaxed but there. I crept deeper into the yard, hiding behind a fallen bus.

I readied my powers, the heat rising up my spine and arms. The training Robbie gave me has definitely paid off. I could harness it, but use it like I use a fork, or my whip. I was in full control.

I waited there, keeping my breathing quiet.

Suddenly a hand on my shoulder made me turn. The man looked straight back at me. He had black hair with a faint beard and mustache stubble. His eyes turned red with flame as he moved his hand to my neck.

"Well, well. I wasn't expecting to see you so soon my dear."

"Get your hands off me, you pile of-"

He sent a wave a fire over my body, causing me to cry out in pain.

"Now now. How have you been darling? Have your monthly cycles been going well?"

"Shut up!"

He threw me across the yard into a dented car with a missing headlight and whole back end.

He approached me and I stood, a wound on my forehead now bleeding down the side of my face. His eyes undressed me, the lust and hunger so clear like light in a dark room. He grabbed my chin, and I moved out his grasp. I sent a line of fire to his chest, causing him to fly back in to the bus. He got up, straightened the lapels of his jacket. My eyes became hot as they burned angry.

"Let's not fight, I'd hate to ruin that pretty face of yours."

"Save your flattery."

I shot another, but he shielded it. Another and like titanium, my shots blew off and over him. He grabbed my waist and leaned me over. I grabbed his arm for balance. My hand lit on fire and began to burn his suit jacket. With a smile, he put the fire out. With a look he began to choke me with invisible hands.

As his hand reached for my chin, something wrapped around it and pulled it back. He looked up. His fiery eyes studied the chain wrapped around his wrist. With a chuckle he tried to move his wrist back, but the chain resisted. His smile faded as the Charger came around the bend, its engine and tires a blaze. Robbie stepped out, his eyes full of fire.

"Get your hands off of her."

"Robbie Reyes. It's been so long. How's your parents? Oh wait-"

"Let go of her. Or I'll let him out and we all know you can't beat him down here."

"Robbie no. Get out of here. This is my mess, not-"

Those hands grasped my windpipe.

"I didn't say you could speak."

He dropped me onto the gravel. I winced with impact.

He looked between us.

"Oh this is precious. Robbie have you finally found love? Well, this woman is mine, I'm afraid."

"She doesn't belong to anyone. Let go of her you bastard."

"Hmmm...Nah, I think I'll-"

Before he finished, Robbie pulled the chain, pulling Mephisto to his face.

"Let. Her. Go."

"Go ahead Rider, come out. Let's see what daddy's been teaching you."

Robbie punched him, sending him over me and into a car. He retracted the chain and cracked it like a whip. Robbie looked at me and started to walk towards me.

Suddenly, Robbie flew back behind the Charger, the invisible force throwing him back once more. Mephisto stepped next to me, and touched a finger to my cheek. As he drew it across my cheek bone, it cut deep. I let out a scream.

He released my windpipes. More screams erupted from my mouth as cuts bore into my legs, my arms.

They all burned and simmered. The cars behind the Charger exploded as Robbie charged, the Rider fully consuming him. The flaming skull grabbed Mephisto and threw him. Robbie stood over me, as I writhed in pain, gravel and blood on my clothing. My blood bled onto the gravel like liquid rubies, so bright and red.

Mephisto pounced onto Robbie and stood by me.

Robbie got back up, ready to charge again but Mephisto put his hand up.

"Come any closer, and she gets another cut. Listen, if you want her, fine. I only need her child. That's all I need and then you two can do whatever you want."

"Liar." I spat.

He looked down and smirked, then returned his attention to Robbie.

"Unless," his eyes shimmered with trouble, "You would like to make another deal."

Robbie cocked his head.

"If I start killing again, will you leave us be?"

"You haven't been killing sinners?"

"No."

It was true. I tried to not get hurt again, yet here I was, in the most pain I'll ever recieve. My words were so shaky. I was in so much pain.

"I'll consider it."

"Consider?! I want an answer."

"Watch your tongue."

He drew another cut across my ribs. I cried out as more blood flowed out of my body and onto the gravel, falling into the creases and cracks of the rocks. Robbie rid the the tether he kept on himself and lunged at the demon. They went down. The anger awoke the Rider. It rose and burned through the human skin. I rose and grabbed my gun from my thigh. I shot once, twice into his chest.

He screamed and roared. The bullets were laced with hellfire, pure pain and agony. Robbie moved back and let me finish him. With one final cry he disappeared into black smoke, his cry echoing. I looked to Robbie, whose skin began to grow back. Mine began to cover my skull again. I fell and Robbie lunged to catch me. He got there just in time, lifting me up bridal-style.

I blacked out, only remembering the smell of his leather jacket and the heat of his body.

All I could see was lights and shadows pass. I felt his hand press on my wound on my midriff. He applied pressure to stop the bleeding and spoke to me muffled words.

I closed my eyes, everything was too much. I hope Red would be ok. I hope Mephisto learned his lesson. I hoped I lived.