Blood For Blood

In an outburst of frustration and anger, Dustin, overwhelmed, pinned Simon to the floor and unleashed a barrage of punches. Each blow was fueled by the intensity of the emotions swirling in Dustin's mind and body.

Riley, reacting swiftly to the escalating situation, ran past Catherine and intervened, pulling Simon from under Dustin to halt the physical confrontation. 

Catherine, having witnessed the events unfold, made her way to the penthouse. 

As Catherine entered the penthouse, the soft glow of ambient lighting illuminated the room, revealing the opulence that surrounded her. The air was filled with a subtle fragrance, creating an atmosphere of calm and sophistication. Mytia lay on a plush couch, her eyes slowly fluttering open as consciousness gradually returned to her.

Disoriented and still groggy, she managed to focus on Catherine's concerned face. With a gentle touch, Catherine reassured Mytia and helped her sit up. Mytia's gaze, though hazy, held a mixture of confusion and urgency.

"Where's Simon?" she mumbled, her voice carrying a sense of longing. 

As Mytia gradually regained her bearings, the room seemed to come into sharper focus. The elegant furnishings, the artwork adorning the walls, and the mesmerizing skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows all hinted at a life of luxury. Despite the grandeur, Mytia's thoughts remained fixated on Simon. Catherine, responding to Mytia's request to see Simon, delivered the news,

"He's catching up with Dustin." Mytia, spurred by a mix of concern and determination, attempted to get up, but her weakened state was evident as Reggie quickly caught her, preventing her from falling. 

Catherine, with an exasperated expression, rolled her eyes at the unfolding dynamics in the penthouse. Deciding to focus on the pressing matter at hand, she made her way to the first floor to check on Jenaveve. However, upon reaching the location, a new threat emerged.

A goblin-like creature was in the process of stealing Jenaveve's jar.

Its wiry frame hunched and covered in coarse, mottled fur, skittered across the dimly lit floor. Its large, luminous eyes glowed with an eerie green light, reflecting a mischievous intelligence that belied its seemingly chaotic appearance. The creature's pointed ears twitched at every sound.

The echoes of the gunshot linger in the air like a haunting refrain. Catherine's decision, unexpected and shrouded in mystery, left the goblin-like creature frozen in place, its large eyes widening in shock and surprise.

Jenaveve's pleas, desperate and filled with the fear of imminent demise, had fallen on deaf ears. The shards of the shattered jar now lay scattered on the floor, and the once-captured essence of Jenaveve dispersed into an ethereal mist that dissipated into the surroundings. 

Catherine lowered her shotgun, her expression unreadable. The motive behind her drastic action remained a puzzle, leaving the goblin-like creature both perplexed and wary. 

The goblin, displaying a surprising resilience, wasted no time in seizing the opportunity for escape. With a nimble leap, it scurried towards the window.

Her path unexpectedly intersected with Charles's.

Charles, concerned about Sapphire's whereabouts, approached Catherine and inquired about her. Catherine, in response, shook her head, indicating that Sapphire's fate was unknown. Charles then delivered another piece of startling information,

"Catherine, there is a cat-owl mutation upstairs."

Catherine, resolute and prepared for the potential threat posed by the cat-owl mutation, loaded her shotgun. Charles, sensing the danger, attempted to stop her, but Catherine, driven by a sense of responsibility and the need to protect the survivors, pressed on.

With deliberate steps, Catherine ascended the stairs to the 9th floor. The creaking of the door added a suspenseful note to the atmosphere as she cautiously opened it.

As Catherine cautiously entered the 9th floor, she was met with a surprising sight. Mytia, seemingly unharmed, was petting the cat-owl mutant. The unexpected encounter left Catherine momentarily taken aback.

Regaining her composure, Catherine, still wary of the potential dangers posed by the mutant, aimed her shotgun at the creature. With a stern expression she ordered,

"Mytia to step away."

Charles and Mytia, sensing the tension and potential threat, stepped in front of the cat-owl mutant, positioning themselves as a barrier between Catherine and the creature.